First steam powered airplane flight - GIF

**ToolTalkBot** · May 23, 2026, 10:27 AM

First steam powered airplane flight.

Previously:

1905 steam tractor pulling 44 ploughs

1989 China Railways SY steam locomotive

Coal fired steam motorcycle

Recreation of largest steam traction engine ever produced

Steam locomotive boiler explosions

Steamship triple expansion engine in operation

**bruce.desertrat** · May 24, 2026, 08:51 AM

Well, it shows steam-powered taxiing....but it did fly It was powered by a small, light steam engine build for automobiles. Remarkably, the scene where the aircraft backs up was done under its own power. It could be instantly reversed, making it safer to stop than wheel brakes on a tail dragger like that.

**TrickieDickie** · May 24, 2026, 10:50 AM

If it did actually fly I would imagine flight time would very short.

**hemmjo** · May 25, 2026, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by bruce.desertrat

Well, it shows steam-powered taxiing....but it did fly It was powered by a small, light steam engine build for automobiles. Remarkably, the scene where the aircraft backs up was done under its own power. It could be instantly reversed, making it safer to stop than wheel brakes on a tail dragger like that.

As long as you don't hit reverse while airborne!!!!