William Harper Jr.
William Harper, Jr. was a pioneer aviator and aviation engineer with the Wright brothers.[1]
Biography
In 1912 he built his own airplane to fly out of Roosevelt Field, New York:[2]
Before the middle of June there will be flying at the new field east of Mineola on the Hempstead Plains a monster monoplane, along Blerlot lines, of 50 feet spread of wing. William Harper, Jr., of New Bloomfleld, Pa., a student of aerodynamics has been working for several years on a weight carrying machine, one which will fly with the least possible horse-power, approximating soaring. Flights have already been made using as low as 10 or 12 h.p. of the 50 h.p. in the home-made motor, which is of prime interest In itself. This is a 2 cyl., 2 cycle, 6 by 6, revolving motor, driving a monster propeller of around 9 ft. diameter with a very steep pitch at slow speed. The machine has been flying and carrying a total weight of around 1600 Ibs. The body is long and the elevators generous in size, and all movements of the machine are slow instead of responding quickly to the slightest gusts. The greatest camber is close to the leading edge. The rib curves vary throughout the wing. The object has been to approximate soaring. The builder states that he has shut off his power, i.e., released compression and allowed the motor to spin freely, at a height of three feet from the ground and glided for 300 yards before actually landing. A speed indicator and a level tell at all times whether proper speed and angle are being maintained.[2]
On February 3, 1914 he married Florence Tobin of Denver, Colorado in Newport, Rhode Island.[3]
Writings
- William Harper, Jr. (August 23, 1908). "Gyroscope in Air. Mr. Harper Shows How It May Resist Shifting Air Currents". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
I have taken keen interest in the articles on the development of aerial navigation, which The Times treats perhaps more fully than any other metropolitan daily. ...
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help)
References
- ^ "Harper Takes Them as Passengers in His Big Yellow Monoplane". New York Times. October 21, 1912. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
William Harper, Jr., was the most envied aviator on the field here this afternoon, when he took out a number of attractive girls in his big yellow for ...
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b Aeronautics: Volume 10. Aero Club of Pennsylvania. 1912. p. 179.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Tobin-Harper Wedding To-day". New York Times. February 2, 1914. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
The wedding of Miss Florence Tobin of Denver and William Harper, Jr., of New York will take place to-morrow evening at the cottage of the bride's aunt, Mrs. James J. Brown. Only relatives will be present. A dinner at the MuenchingerKing will follow, with Mrs. Brown as hostess.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help)
 | This United States biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This biographical article related to aviation is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |