5 thoughts on “American Ingenuity

  1. Kim 'The_Pirate' Christensen says:

    This is a Besler Steam plane, built by the Besler brothers and powered by a Doble Steam Motors Company 150 hp V-twin double expansion engine, weighing only 500 lb. The airframe is based on a Travel Air 2000. Apparently it flew several times out of Oakland airport in 1933, and was capable of STOL operation, thanks to the instantly reversable engine and propeller.

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  2. Rbailey says:

    Besler steam-powered aeroplane, a Travel Air 2000 with a 150 hp, 2-cylinder, Besler V-2 steam engine. I flew well but no development continued afterwards.

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  3. Ron Anderson says:

    I believe it’s a steam-powered Travel Air 2000 from 1933.

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  4. Anderson Nettleship says:

    1933 Besler Steam Plane, based on a Travelair 2000. It was flown several times and was capable of STOL operations due to the reversible engine. Neat idea but not really practical due the extra weight needed for a boiler system.

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  5. Bill Johnson says:

    I guessed steam-powered from “no combustion” but had no idea beyond that.

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