Model Flying Machines

Pearse Monoplane

 


This peanut scale model was built by Tim Hayward-Brown of Adelaide, Australia. Tim eventually hopes to offer plans for the Monoplane. He writes that the model is:

"...very stable but a bit underpowered. The prop is a little inefficient I think, but that was to be expected. 

There's not much structure to the Pearse machine, but it's a bit like a microfilm model in that what there is can be time consuming. Because the flying surfaces are single side covered and the structure is quite exposed, I chose to make them as realistic as possible. 

This means the larger bamboo spars are not square section, but hand-sanded balsa dowels (2.4mm dia) to make them look more like bamboo. The ribs I have left as square section - they are only 1/16th section and it's not so noticeable. Further, I then soaked all members in yellow food dye and painted joint lines at regular intervals along each member to simulate bamboo sections. 

The tricycle undercarriage/fuselage/cockpit is also made of balsa dowel but this is steely gray." 

Another model of the Pearse Monoplane was an indoor electric RC one, built by Ken Buckley of Auckland, New Zealand. You can find three photos of this model buried amongst many other photos on these two pages, here and here

 

Pearse Resources

Here is a resource guide for the books, etc, that have been published about Richard Pearse. 

Two entries deserve special mention - "The Riddle of Richard Pearse" is an excellent biography, and contains a balanced view of the flight claims that have been made for him. Modelers however will find "Richard Pearse: Pioneer Aviator" especially useful as it contains an excellent 3-view of the Pearse monoplane - or rather of the replica that was built in the 1970s.

 

          NON-FICTION

"The Riddle Of Richard Pearse"
by Gordon Ogilvie
published 1994 (3rd edition), ISBN 0790003295
Reed Publishing, Auckland, NZ

"Richard Pearse : Pioneer Aviator"
by Geoffrey Rodliffe
published 1978, no ISBN
Walsh Memorial Library, MOTAT, NZ

"Wings Over Waitohi: The Story Of Richard Pearse"
by Geoffrey Rodliffe
published 1997 (2nd edition), ISBN 0473050005
Avon Press, Auckland, NZ

"Flight Over Waitohi"
by Geoffrey Rodliffe
published 1997, ISBN 047305048X
G Rodliffe, Auckland, NZ

          FICTION

"Oh, For The Wings Of A Moth"
Novel by Helen Moore
published 1999, ISBN 0473057727
G Rodliffe, Auckland, NZ 

"Jean and Richard: A Fantasy"
Play by Mervyn Thompson
contained in "Passing Through and Other Plays"
published 1992 
Hazard Press, Christchurch, NZ 

          ARTICLES

"Richard Pearse: First To Fly?"
"New Zealand Geographic" 
Issue 54, Oct-Dec 1999 
ISSN 0113-9967
Ruapehu Publishers, Ohakune, NZ

"Richard William Pearse: Did He Fly Before The Wright Brothers?"
by Doug Patterson
"Aviation Historical Society of NZ Journal"
December 1989

"Richard Pearse of Waitohi"
by Gordon Ogilvie
"New Zealand Wings"
August 1982

          VIDEOS

"Richard Pearse"
one hour drama
directed by Roger Simpson
produced 1977
Television ONE, Wellington, NZ

"Plane for the Million"
half-hour documentary
written and directed by Michael McNicholas
produced 1986
Film Images, Wellington, NZ

          WEBSITES

Richard Pearse Centennial Airshow

Bamboo Dick, first in flight

Richard Pearse, First Flyer

Richard Pearse, First Man to Fly

Famous New Zealand People - Richard Pearse

Richard Pearse - Inventor and Aviator

 

 

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