I have been a big fan of aviation history for over 60 years. It is always a delight to discover historical aircraft I have never known about. Well done. ✔
Congratulations on creating a very interesting set of presentations of rare British aircraft. Keep up the good work and I wish you a great deal of success.
Many thanks, Mark. greatly appreciated! l am glad l am not alone in having the interest in these old aircraft transports. l have really enjoyed doing them and recording my podcast & other bits on this channel. l have quite a list of subjects to work on! Cheers! Keith.
Interesting... seems to have been fabric covered...? found a note in the internet that the wing sweep, as in the case of me262, was necessitated to correct the center of gravity... which speaks to a rushed design... Seems to have been quite fast for the day... but taking the specs from wikipedia it would have been weight and fuel - range challenged... with all seats full of standard pax + standard baggage it could have flown for less than 2 hours... Seems to have had a poor rate of climb and couldnt maintain altitude on one engine (!), due to the high wing loading designed for speed... Didnt have a chance in the market against Douglas, Lockheed, and other aluminum aircraft... makes you wonder what were they thinking to develop it... seems to have been focused on low cost to operate, for a small regional airline, that couldn't afford to operate the more expensive most modern aircraft... interesting approach...
Fascinating! Have to say, those struts look all wrong. The Americans were well into all-metal structures with cantilever wings by that stage. The ST-18 probably would have lasted through the war in emergency use, but was pretty much obsolete as it came off the design board IMO.
Fantastic! These rare machines are really a nice change from the well known ones. A lot of research and work. Thank you for putting it together. Just subscribed!
Thanks for presenting an aircraft I had never heard of. I was taken by the similarity of the wing shape with that of the DC3. Indeed, it would have been the success of the DC3 which relegated this aircraft to 'historical footnote' status.
I just discovered your channel. Great stuff! I've always enjoyed obscure aircraft since building some models published by the wonderful W. C. (Bill) Hannan in the 70's. Keep them coming.
A comment regarding the dark tail - it may not have been dark, but a bright colour, like red or yellow. Black and White photography often used coloured filters for particular contrast effects, and these block some colours, making them look far darker than they are. Without colour footage of any kind, and no documentation, there's no way to know.
With a service ceiling of 19,500 feet did it have a pressurized cabin? If so, those square windows would have become a problem. Of course it didn't last long enough for that to become apparent.
Excellent presentation. The whole reason that the General Aircraft company had been started was to exploit the "monospar wing" designed by Swiss-born Engineer H.J. Steiger. Research into this had been financed by the Air Ministry because it promised to be a cheap way of constructing lightweight monoplane wings, albeit they were fabric-covered. The technology was then overtaken by the stressed-wing metal construction developed in the USA and independently in Britain by Bristol. The Croydon was initially supposed to have Bristol Aquila engines, but their delay in development led to the use of American engines in the prototype. The first part of the flight out to Australia was piloted by the notorious "Master of Semphill" - William Forbes Semphill. An odious character., worth googling.
Very interesting aircraft! Thatt it was able to touch down on a rough surface without damage speaks to quality design and construction execution. Looking at the fuselage, it does appear to be covered with aircraft cloth and dope; is that the case? Unfortunately those Pratt engines are long gone, out of production, so unless some equivalent can be scrounged, this aircraft could not be duplicated by an enthusiast. Oh, well.
Thank you. It makes you wonder if they could have gotten fuel, maybe it would have gone on and sold? If you click on the link to the docs, you can read more about it.
Thanks for a good, interesting video. I hope you will get round to more weird and wonderful French airliners and mail planes of the period such as the Bleriots. Subscriber no 183.
Charlie Bravo was very lucky to find that reef upon which to land. I am a surfer and I have seen a lot of coral reefs. Not the place you would want to land an airliner.
i cant understand why the elevator was so low when the tail wheel broke the were in trouble looks it was on the lower longerons out of the prop wash just a thought well done on vid
It's interesting that even in those days British Airways preferred to buy American. I'm guessing the American airlines didn't consider buying anything but American aircraft. No wonder the aviation industry in the UK had withered away.
Hint for a simple and cheap muffler/pop filter. 'Borrow' from a friend's sewing kit an embroidery ring (15-20cm) - or in extreme necessity buy one (they're very cheap). Stretch and clamp a layer of nylon from tights/pantyhose (something about 60 denier will do), clamp in place and trim to size. Total cost - as little as zero (except for the wrath of the person who now has ventilated tights and a missing embroidery ring. Oops! 😁
@finlayfraser9952 Are they not? I was led to believe they are. You are bloody rude calling me lazy. The work that goes into making these videos is a lot. I do this for nothing. l am trying to remember these aircraft and do the best l can & work hard on them. I have uploaded many videos on old aircraft. Are you just a coward keyboard warrior? I see you do not have a channel. So I will be rude. if you don't like it eff off to Twitter/X and join in the bile !
I have been a big fan of aviation history for over 60 years. It is always a delight to discover historical aircraft I have never known about. Well done. ✔
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the nice feedback.
This is precisely the sort of aircraft I imagined being hijacked by a swarthy Mongolian-looking pilot in the opening scenes of ''Lost Horizon.''
🤣
It has a look similar to the comet racers very elegant aircraft.
Cool one-off.
Yes it was
Swept wings! it must be faster that a 262 look, look swept wings!!!!! 😉
🤣
Looks like the result of a DH 89 Dragon Rapide mating with a Douglas DC3
🤣
And perhaps a bit of DNA from a randy Beech D18. 😂
Congratulations on creating a very interesting set of presentations of rare British aircraft. Keep up the good work and I wish you a great deal of success.
Many thanks, Mark. greatly appreciated! l am glad l am not alone in having the interest in these old aircraft transports. l have really enjoyed doing them and recording my podcast & other bits on this channel. l have quite a list of subjects to work on!
Cheers! Keith.
Welcome to the whims of the algorithm, my friend. The more aircraft channels the better,I say.Good work on the video.
Thanks
It's a sad tale of a great looking machine.
Watching this while in a tram in Melbourne,just epic
Thanks! Replying to this. I am still in bed, in Prem Inn in Malborough England. You win for the coolest location 😎 🤣
Excellent. The you for posting.
Thanks
Interesting... seems to have been fabric covered...?
found a note in the internet that the wing sweep, as in the case of me262, was necessitated to correct the center of gravity... which speaks to a rushed design...
Seems to have been quite fast for the day... but taking the specs from wikipedia it would have been weight and fuel - range challenged... with all seats full of standard pax + standard baggage it could have flown for less than 2 hours...
Seems to have had a poor rate of climb and couldnt maintain altitude on one engine (!), due to the high wing loading designed for speed...
Didnt have a chance in the market against Douglas, Lockheed, and other aluminum aircraft... makes you wonder what were they thinking to develop it... seems to have been focused on low cost to operate, for a small regional airline, that couldn't afford to operate the more expensive most modern aircraft... interesting approach...
Fascinating! Have to say, those struts look all wrong. The Americans were well into all-metal structures with cantilever wings by that stage. The ST-18 probably would have lasted through the war in emergency use, but was pretty much obsolete as it came off the design board IMO.
Thanks. They remind me of Hares ears 😁
Could be just me, but it almost looks like someone stuck wings and a tail on a bus.
With a paint job that would be a beauty.
Fantastic! These rare machines are really a nice change from the well known ones. A lot of research and work. Thank you for putting it together. Just subscribed!
Thanks very much appreciated. I love the obscure stuff.
Thanks for presenting an aircraft I had never heard of. I was taken by the similarity of the wing shape with that of the DC3. Indeed, it would have been the success of the DC3 which relegated this aircraft to 'historical footnote' status.
Thanks appreciated. Yes, the DC-3 was king and nothing better for many years.
Fascinating!
Yes a great story.
surprisingly swept wing for the time
I just discovered your channel. Great stuff! I've always enjoyed obscure aircraft since building some models published by the wonderful W. C. (Bill) Hannan in the 70's. Keep them coming.
Many thanks appreciated. As they are going so well, I will !
Very nice film. I’d just started researching the ST.18 for a film on my channel. Shan’t bother now! 😂
Thanks very much. I'm glad you liked it. Sorry 😉.
Just had a look at your channel. It looks good l will have a butchers when time.
If you squint it’s very Heinkel 111 from some angles. It looks like quite a decent design for the day.
A comment regarding the dark tail - it may not have been dark, but a bright colour, like red or yellow. Black and White photography often used coloured filters for particular contrast effects, and these block some colours, making them look far darker than they are. Without colour footage of any kind, and no documentation, there's no way to know.
True. Someone will know. Thanks.
With a service ceiling of 19,500 feet did it have a pressurized cabin? If so, those square windows would have become a problem. Of course it didn't last long enough for that to become apparent.
Good question. But l don't know. I will re check the figures.
Excellent presentation. The whole reason that the General Aircraft company had been started was to exploit the "monospar wing" designed by Swiss-born Engineer H.J. Steiger. Research into this had been financed by the Air Ministry because it promised to be a cheap way of constructing lightweight monoplane wings, albeit they were fabric-covered. The technology was then overtaken by the stressed-wing metal construction developed in the USA and independently in Britain by Bristol. The Croydon was initially supposed to have Bristol Aquila engines, but their delay in development led to the use of American engines in the prototype. The first part of the flight out to Australia was piloted by the notorious "Master of Semphill" - William Forbes Semphill. An odious character., worth googling.
Thanks John appreciated. I will have a Google!
Great looking aircraft. Pity there were no buyers.
@mipmipmipmipmipBeauty is in the eye of the beholder.
What an odd craft! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks. You are welcome.
Very interesting aircraft! Thatt it was able to touch down on a rough surface without damage speaks to quality design and construction execution. Looking at the fuselage, it does appear to be covered with aircraft cloth and dope; is that the case? Unfortunately those Pratt engines are long gone, out of production, so unless some equivalent can be scrounged, this aircraft could not be duplicated by an enthusiast. Oh, well.
Thank you. It makes you wonder if they could have gotten fuel, maybe it would have gone on and sold? If you click on the link to the docs, you can read more about it.
Pratt R985s are probably the most common radial engine still in use.
Thank you...
Thanks for a good, interesting video. I hope you will get round to more weird and wonderful French airliners and mail planes of the period such as the Bleriots. Subscriber no 183.
Thank you for the nice comment. Oh yes! l am planning more French episodes.
a third one coming up!
Love the info & Content - Subscriber No 89 😅
Thanks very much, Subscriber No 89 🫡
excellent. new one for me!
Charlie Bravo was very lucky to find that reef upon which to land.
I am a surfer and I have seen a lot of coral reefs.
Not the place you would want to land an airliner.
I heard it that the britlords didn't appreciate the creature comforts of the DC3 so they stole the wings/engines and wheels.
Looked up the reef where it landed, imagine the engines are still there
Possibly?
Great video.
Thanks 👍
Bad luck plays a big part on the success of all things mechanical.
SO COOL!
i cant understand why the elevator was so low when the tail wheel broke the were in trouble looks it was on the lower longerons out of the prop wash just a thought well done on vid
Glad you liked the vid - thanks
Not a bad looking plane.
wing struts are coming backinto fadhion
Good speed for a fabric covered strut braced airplane
Yes it was fast
It's interesting that even in those days British Airways preferred to buy American. I'm guessing the American airlines didn't consider buying anything but American aircraft. No wonder the aviation industry in the UK had withered away.
I wonder if anything remains of it ?
I think some bits still remained in the 1990s
a tragic take..new to me
It was the " Cyberplane " of 1935. LOL
Laughs in Beech-18
Pratt and Whitney?
?
NW Monsoon effecting Indonesia? You navigation is far worse that the Navigators
Just quoting text and being honest, my geography knowledge of the region is not good. But does a big storm in that region cause a chain of events?
😢
Great but please use a muffler when narrating, thanks
Thanks. Noted about the sound, it was not the best on this one but ran with it.
Hint for a simple and cheap muffler/pop filter.
'Borrow' from a friend's sewing kit an embroidery ring (15-20cm) - or in extreme necessity buy one (they're very cheap). Stretch and clamp a layer of nylon from tights/pantyhose (something about 60 denier will do), clamp in place and trim to size. Total cost - as little as zero (except for the wrath of the person who now has ventilated tights and a missing embroidery ring. Oops! 😁
bad luck
The internal photos are not from the ST18, you are being very lazy, and corrupting the historical record.
@finlayfraser9952 Are they not? I was led to believe they are. You are bloody rude calling me lazy. The work that goes into making these videos is a lot. I do this for nothing. l am trying to remember these aircraft and do the best l can & work hard on them. I have uploaded many videos on old aircraft. Are you just a coward keyboard warrior? I see you do not have a channel. So I will be rude. if you don't like it eff off to Twitter/X and join in the bile !