On 19/11/2009, at 10:40 , John Gardner wrote:

> Is there a nation which does'nt lay claim to first flight?  :)
> 
> My knowledge runs no deeper than Wikipedia, but NZ seems to
> have as good a claim as many.

I believe Russell is referring to Richard Pearse and there are plenty of eyewitness accounts (but perhaps not enough hard evidence?) to suggest that he was in fact the first to perform a successful 'heavier-than-air' flight - and long before the Wright brothers.

Unfortunately there was some sort of spoof documentary a few years back that made light of these claims - Aussie produced no doubt? [I'm Australian, I can say that! :) ]

As far as I am aware, his drawings have survived to this day. He was the first to use ailerons - if I am not mistaken - whilst the Wright brothers had yet to discover their 'warped wing' technique.

> I suppose Montgolfier, et al, doesn't count...

No. Not to discount the achievements of the Montgolfiers, but they do not count in this discussion. The 'category' Russell is referring to is 'heavier-than-air' which requires some form of mechanical generated lift. The hot air contained in the Montgolfiers' balloon made the craft 'lighter-than-air' and is a whole different kettle of fish.

It is indeed a shame that Richard Pearse's achievements were not recognised for what they were at the time, but I guess history is full of much greater inaccuracies.

Regards,

Sean
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