The Pioneers : An Anthology : The 'One Offs'

The 'One Off Wonders'

A series of images of those who dreamed, built and flew? during the first decade of powered flight only, in most cases, to disappear from the history books - until now that is !

as with the aviators below, theirs was and this definitely is a work in progress

Vaniman

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Vaniman

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Vaniman

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Vaniman

M. Melvin Vaniman

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de la Vaux

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Vedovelli, v.1, c.1908/9

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The only text reference to the Vedovilli I can find is in "Triplanes" by Peter Bower and Ernest McDowell (Motorbooks International, 1993). In it they mention ..."...it went through possibly four modifications and was tested over a three-year period at Issy-les-Moulineaux....The last variant literally fell apart during a taxi run in 1911." [Paul Dunlop]

Vedovelli, v.1, c.1908/9

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Here the aircraft seems to be in its best condiditon - note that the side panels are fully enclosed at the rear and it has a simple undervcarriage. [Paul Dunlop]

Vedovelli, v.2, c.1909/10

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v.2 - The side panels have had sections cut out near the rear. Skid runners have been fitted to the undercarriage. [Paul Dunlop]

Vedovelli, v.3, c.1910

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v.3 - Rear of plane substanially altered with rear side panels removed, twin propellers and rear tail fin fitted. Nosewheel fitted . [Paul Dunlop]

Vedovelli, v.3, c.1910

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Vedovelli, v.4, January, 1911

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v.4 - Same as v.3, but all four wings now have had bracing struts fitted to them. This photo might be the one that dates from January 1911 [Paul Dunlop]

Thanks to Paul Dunlop (NZ) for the above research. Ed.