In 1911, the Irish engineer Joseph Cordner constructed his second tunnel-wing airplane, the Cordner No. 2. This aircraft was a significantly modified and improved version of his first machine, representing a notable step forward in his innovative designs.
Innovative Design and Development
The Cordner No. 2 was a single-seater, wooden, cantilever mid-wing monoplane. Initially, it was powered by a 40 hp Anzani nine-cylinder radial engine, which drove a two-bladed wooden propeller.
Subsequently, the designer experimented with installing more powerful Anzani engines, including versions of 50/60 hp and up to 80 hp, in an effort to optimize the aircraft’s performance.
Early Flights and Historical Record
Tests of the machine took place between late 1911 and early 1912 at Bonds Field, Waterside, Londonderry. Despite its innovative nature, very little detailed information is available regarding this aircraft. Flight magazine published a brief note about the Cordner No. 2 only in 1915, years after its initial flights.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Cordner No.2 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Anzani |
| Power, hp | 1 x 40 |
| Crew, crew | 1 |
Image gallery of the Cordner No. 2
