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Mordhorst | Any ideas?

Posted: 17 Mar 2010, 13:13
by 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. :lol:

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

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Re: Mordhorst | Any ideas?

Posted: 17 Mar 2010, 15:02
by 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

Re: Mordhorst | Any ideas?

Posted: 18 Mar 2010, 10:58
by 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