Pilcher Bat (replica)

During the winter of 1894/5, Pilcher built his first glider, the Bat Mk1, to his own design. After visiting Lilienthal in Germany in the spring of 1895, he rented lodgings near Cardross, Dunbartonshire where, on a suitable natural slope, he flight tested the machine with his sister Ella’s help. The Mk1 version, which had no horizontal tail surface, proved impossible to fly – as per Lilienthal’s prediction – so the Mk2 was evolved by fitting circular vertical and horizontal tail surfaces. This resulted in the first British heavier-than-air aircraft to successfully perform consistent and reproducible flights. The final Mk3 version was refined by down turning the wing tips to reduce the previously excessive dihedral, thereby improving stability in cross winds.

In 1897, Pilcher joined Walter Wilson and formed Wilson and Pilcher Ltd, specialising in engine development. There, influenced by Octave Chanute in America, Pilcher designed and began building his first multi surface machine – the Triplane. The petrol engine to power this aircraft was developed by Wilson but the machine was never completed.

Largely for the benefit of potential sponsors, Pilcher arranged a gliding demonstration at Stanford Hall in Leicestershire on 30 September 1899. Despite the rather inclement weather conditions, Pilcher elected to give a demonstration of a towed flight using the Hawk. Two attempts were made in which the tow line snapped, then on the third flight,  at a height reported variously as between 30 to 60ft, the Hawk’s tail collapsed and Percy was fatally injured as a result of the fall. Arguably, had he survived the accident, he may well have changed the course of history and been the first person to make a successful powered flight.

About this aircraft

This Pilcher Bat was constructed and donated by Eric Littledike, using original materials.

Specification