Mordhorst | Any ideas?

[WhisperJet]

Dear All,

maybe anyone here might be able to answer this question posted at a German classic motoring forum...

The name of the man on the 1st picture is "Mordhorst". He used to be the grandfather of a forum member's client.
Not much is known about him and basically that's all there is he can tell about these pictures.

Any ideas of what plane that could be?
Or does it look like a like a do-it-yourself construction to you?

Any inputs will be appreciated!

Many thanks in advance,

Nick

[cstorey]

The engine looks as though it may be an early Antoinette V8, produced in France by Leon leVavasseur . If it is, it dates the aeroplane to about 1906 because the later engines were, I believe, water cooled . I wonder also whether the aeroplane is also an Antoinette IV of perhaps 1906-8. I have a picture of one but can never remember how to post it

[WhisperJet]

Thank you cstorey!
The year 1906 seems to be correct. In the mean time I have figured out that we're talking about the "Mordhorst Maschinenfabrik Kiel" and that several pilots and navy functionaries had given development orders to this small company - just around 1906 until 1908.

I have also figured out a contact point for detailed information at www.seeflieger.de

Many thanks anyway & all the best,

Nick