Grahame-White Type VII Popular
Grahame-White Aviation · United Kingdom · first flew 1913 · light aircraft
The Grahame-White Type VII Popular was an early British pusher biplane designed by J. D. North and built by the Grahame-White Aviation company. It was intended as a low-cost aircraft to popularise aviation, and sold for less than 400 pounds.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.16 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Pusher biplane with a square-section nacelle between the wings
- Upper wing double the span of the lower
- Tail carried on ash booms behind the wings, with a rudder divided above and below the tailplane
A pusher biplane whose upper wing has twice the span of the lower and carries wide-span ailerons. Wide-track skids with wheels replace a normal undercarriage, with no tailskid.
Specifications
- The Grahame-White Type VII Popular has a length of 7.16 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.53 m (28 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 80 km/h (50 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was first flown in 1913 with a 35 hp Anzani 3-cylinder engine. Despite its low price it had refinements such as hollow-section interplane struts.
Variants
Built in single and two-seat versions, some with the 50 hp Gnome Omega engine. The VIIc Popular Passenger Biplane was unrelated.
Where you'll see it
In March 1913 the British War Office announced the purchase of seven aircraft from Grahame-White, including two Type VII Populars and one two-seat VIIc, to boost the strength of the Royal Flying Corps.
Related aircraft
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