The First Loop

[willedoo]

An Su manual I was reading made reference to Nesterov's Loop & how to do it in an Su-27, so I just thought I'd post a couple of links about Pyotr Nesterov, the first pilot to perform a loop in 1913 in a Nieuport IV.

 

He beat French pilot Adolphe Pégoud to it by a few days, however Pégoud was able to claim to be the first fighter ace and the first pilot to parachute from an aeroplane. Legend has it that Pégoud gained some inspiration for aerobatic maneuvers while watching his aircraft fall to the ground as he descended with his parachute. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolphe_P%C3%A9goud

 

Nesterov was also famous for being the first pilot to destroy an enemy aircraft in the air. In 1914, he rammed an Austrian Albatross with his Morane-Saulnier, however, he was not belted in & fell from the plane to his death. The Austrian pilot & observer also died in the crash.

 

http://russiapedia.rt.com/prominent-russians/military/pyotr-nesterov/

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_Nesterov

 

Pyotr Nesterov.

 

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Nieuport IV.

 

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Morane-Saulnier Type WR, Russian modification.

 

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The remains of the Austrian Albatross.

 

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Cheers, Willie.

 

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[Spin]

Interesting links - I reckon the average rag and tube owner (Thruster et al) would find much that was familiar about those aircraft. Funny how we have gone full circle.

 

 

[willedoo]

Interesting links - I reckon the average rag and tube owner (Thruster et al) would find much that was familiar about those aircraft. Funny how we have gone full circle.

It seems like pioneering all over again, good to see.

Here's a link to some better photos of the Morane-Saulnier. The photo at the bottom of the link has a good view of the spider-web of wire stays.

 

http://wio.ru/ww1a/gal1.htm

 

Cheers, Willie.