The Velopter Mystery. (update: 1930-ish ?)

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by Tim Gunn trying to 'take off topic': being  a collector and dealer at The Old Bicycle Showroom I do get offered some amazing historic machines and the latest is this machine which I know very little about. Called a Velo Copter by the previous owner who found it in an antique barn near to Brest in Brittany, France. It appears to have been built as an attempt at early vertical take off flight. I can only assume the constructor was very dissapointed. The machine has a 3.5 meter wingspan with 4 bird like wing blades which rotate with a separate rotating internal fan within the main rotors which provide extra draft via vents onto the main wings all powered by a pilot who sits beneath in a tubular frame while pedalling as fast as he can. The handle bars opporate a set of wires which are linked to some extra wing peices (not shown, but are with the machine) via a very complicated mechanism in the central rotor. The main rotor is made of form alluminium and then with a hand sewn cotton covering which is dopped like an early aircraft.  Part of the beval gear and chain drive is missing and would need to be made and some of the bicycle components are certainly post 1900. The previous owners were told it was constructed by Felix Du Temple and he died in 1890 and can find no details of this machine anywhere and it proves to be a mystery. It does have some evidence of later modifications which would suggest different dates for parts of it. But I would like to know if anyone regognises the machine ? Any information however small would be gratefully received and more images can be seen HERE. Regards, Tim Gunn. I can be contacted via e-mail or via the website: www.theoldbicycleshowroom.co.uk      

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