Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim is recognized as an aviation pioneer.

-He was born in the United States and would later nationalize in England.

-He began to take an interest in aeronautics in 1856, studying and carrying out tests with propellers, support surfaces and engines.

-In July 1894, his "Captive" airplane entered the history of aviation, although tests show that it never left the 1800-foot rails.

“The Captive”

"Model of the Flying Machine of Maxim"

"Compound Steam Engine"

-The steam engine was "compound", with high and low pressure cylinders.

“Tubular part of the Captive boiler”

-The boiler was of the tubular type for water.

-The burners were at its base, a grid of drilled tubes burning naphtha (benzol).

-Weighing 1,000 lbs the boiler "dry" plus 600 lbs of water and fuel and with three passengers a total weight of 8,000 lbs was reached. which gave 2 lb / per square foot.

“Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim”

-In England he achieved the title of “Sir” thanks to his inventions, especially the “Maxim’s” machine gun, used on land and in the air. He died in 1916.

From Appendix 7: New photos of Hiram Stevens Maxim.

"Maxim at the controls of his apparatus" (PiP-fmr)

"Another view of the previous engine" (PiP-fmr)