Talk:Abner Doble

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Untitled[edit]

Has this entry been lifted in its entirety from somewhere else? In any case, it seems like several images were broken in the transfer.

Yes, I too found it surprising that a run-of-the-mill Wickipedian could have that much original inside knowledge. I have traced the original (longer) source[1] and have inserted the reference in this article. I get the impression that the original author, Stephen Fox himself got a lot of his information from an interview he did of James D. Crank, probably today the world authority on the Dobles and their cars and the only one likely to have this sort of knowledge. Apparently there is a definitive book in preparation and reading between the lines of Jim's recent contributions to the "Steam stuff SACA forum [2] suggests he is involved in it. A couple of years ago there was an appeal for subscribers. I sent my name and eMail address, but have heard no more since.--John of Paris 00:18, 27 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Second thoughts - In any case, whatever its sources, this article is a mess. It's supposed to be a biography of Abner Doble, not the technological history of Doble cars which is already supposed to be covered by the Doble Steam Car article. There is nonetheless a lot of material that could be transferred. Also these articles need to be coordinated with the general Steam car one, which itself is far from brilliant at present.--John of Paris 12:55, 6 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I've followed your suggestions and chopped most of the stuff that can be found at Doble Steam Car and also revamped the latter article which was mildly confusing in places. Salmanazar 14:21, 10 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Good man, I'll see you over there.--John of Paris 12:21, 17 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Steam-powered airplane?[edit]

The lede says, "His steam engine design was used in... the first successful steam powered aeroplane." But I can find no evidence that such an airplane every flew.

The only reference given is to "Flying by steam, Ohinemuri Gazette, New Zealand, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3794, 16 July 1917, Page 3." I found that article, here: Ohinemuri Gazette 16 July 1917, p.3. I saved a copy of just that article, here: Flying By Steam It says that he was "experimenting... with the aim of adapting [his automobile engine] for use in aeroplanes." There's no indication that he was successful.

There's also John Hartford's famous song, but I think that's intended to be humorous, not a reference to a real airplane.

Does anyone know whether there ever really was a successful steam powered airplane? NCdave (talk) 09:30, 16 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Refer to Doble steam car#Besler Brothers which used a Doble made steam engine to power a Travel Air 2000 light aircraft NealeFamily (talk) 05:35, 17 September 2017 (UTC)[reply]