Herbert Pither
Encyclopedia
Herbert John Pither was a professional cyclist, engine manufacturer and aviation experimenter.
He grew up in Canterbury, New Zealand
, where he became involved in cycling, both manufacture and racing. On retirement from the Australasian professional racing circuit, he set up business on his own account in Christchurch as an engineer, making first bicycles, then small engines, before moving to the Southland
town of Invercargill
about 1906. He reportedly drove south in an automobile of his own making.
Once there, he set up an engineering shop, supposedly making small agricultural and boat engines under the brand 'Peerless', but scheming an aircraft. This must have taken up a great deal of his time and resources, contributing to his later financial difficulties. Pither solved the problem of making a craft light enough to stay in the air with the engine technology of the day by using bicycle steel tubing. He also built the engine.
Pither flight-tested this craft at Oreti Beach
for a week in mid-winter 1910. (This was the western end of the beach off Bay Road, not the same location Burt Munro
used for motorbike trials at a later date.)
Because there were no eye-witnesses, only a report by Pither to a friendly journalist several days later, there is no conclusive proof that he flew.
However this self-report of a one-mile flight during a short weather window on 5 July has some convincing aspects, including the suggestion the novice pilot got a considerable scare from the unexpectedly different behaviour of the craft once airborne.
In 2003, the Croydon Aircraft Company
at Mandeville
, near Gore
, produced a replica of Pither's Bleriot-style monoplane, which microlight veteran Jerry Chisum flew. He declared the design controllable—just.
On 22 March 2010, it was announced that a replica of Pither's aircraft would be flown on 3 or 4 July to celebrate 100 years since the claimed date of Pither's flight.
, Surrey
, in 1871, Pither was the second eldest of 12 children of John and Lydia Pither, who emigrated to Canterbury on the Crusader in 1875.
Pither and his Australian wife Sarah Hahir had no children, but there are many descendants in other lines.
Information collected for this project, including photos and family legends, is being shared with far-flung branches of the family.
He grew up in Canterbury, New Zealand
Canterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
, where he became involved in cycling, both manufacture and racing. On retirement from the Australasian professional racing circuit, he set up business on his own account in Christchurch as an engineer, making first bicycles, then small engines, before moving to the Southland
Southland Region
Southland is New Zealand's southernmost region and is also a district within that region. It consists mainly of the southwestern portion of the South Island and Stewart Island / Rakiura...
town of Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
about 1906. He reportedly drove south in an automobile of his own making.
Once there, he set up an engineering shop, supposedly making small agricultural and boat engines under the brand 'Peerless', but scheming an aircraft. This must have taken up a great deal of his time and resources, contributing to his later financial difficulties. Pither solved the problem of making a craft light enough to stay in the air with the engine technology of the day by using bicycle steel tubing. He also built the engine.
Pither flight-tested this craft at Oreti Beach
Oreti Beach
Oreti Beach is the central bay of three lying on the Foveaux Strait coast of Southland, New Zealand, the others being Te Waewae Bay and Toetoes Bay...
for a week in mid-winter 1910. (This was the western end of the beach off Bay Road, not the same location Burt Munro
Burt Munro
Herbert James "Burt" Munro was a New Zealand motorcycle racer, famous for setting an under-1,000 cc world record, at Bonneville, 26 August 1967. This record still stands today...
used for motorbike trials at a later date.)
Because there were no eye-witnesses, only a report by Pither to a friendly journalist several days later, there is no conclusive proof that he flew.
However this self-report of a one-mile flight during a short weather window on 5 July has some convincing aspects, including the suggestion the novice pilot got a considerable scare from the unexpectedly different behaviour of the craft once airborne.
In 2003, the Croydon Aircraft Company
Croydon Aircraft Company
The Croydon Aircraft Company is an aircraft company in New Zealand. Its main activities include restoring vintage aircraft, providing scenic and aerial experience flights in vintage aircraft, and providing pilot training in vintage aircraft....
at Mandeville
Mandeville, New Zealand
Mandeville is a settlement in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand.Mandeville is 17 km north west of Gore. Dunedin and Invercargill are the nearest cities.-External links:* *...
, near Gore
Gore, New Zealand
Gore is a town, surrounding borough, and district in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand.-Geography:The Gore District has a land area of 1,251.62 km² and a resident population of...
, produced a replica of Pither's Bleriot-style monoplane, which microlight veteran Jerry Chisum flew. He declared the design controllable—just.
On 22 March 2010, it was announced that a replica of Pither's aircraft would be flown on 3 or 4 July to celebrate 100 years since the claimed date of Pither's flight.
Specifications
- Fuselage: All-metal, steel tubing, box girder principle.
- Wings: Also steel tube, wooden ribs, fabric covered; span 28 feet (8.5 m); area 160 sq. ft (14.9 m²)
- Total steel tube: About 65 m
- Weight: 500 lb (230 kg) excluding the pilot.
- Length: 26 feet (7.9 m).
- Propeller: 6 ft 6in diameter (1.9 m) based on marine design; steel hub, aluminium sheath.
- Engine: Four cylinder VEE capable of 40 hp.
- Thrust capability: 250 pound (113 kg).
- Control in air: Pedal-operated tail rudder.
- Lateral stability: Achieved by warping rear edges of wings, controlled by steering wheel.
- Pitch control: Lever-operated elevators.
- Undercarriage: Motorcycle or bicycle wheels with fitted spring shock absorbers.
Family and background
Born in ReigateReigate
Reigate is a historic market town in Surrey, England, at the foot of the North Downs, and in the London commuter belt. It is one of the main constituents of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, in 1871, Pither was the second eldest of 12 children of John and Lydia Pither, who emigrated to Canterbury on the Crusader in 1875.
Pither and his Australian wife Sarah Hahir had no children, but there are many descendants in other lines.
Information collected for this project, including photos and family legends, is being shared with far-flung branches of the family.