Relics of Stringfellow's model of 1848: 2 wings; 1 tail; 1 hull; 1 propellor and 1 starting rail

This is the model constructed by John Stringfellow alone after Henson stopped his experiments. It is powered by a steam engine built by Stringfellow and was claimed by his son to have flown successfully both at Chard in Somerset and at Cremorne Gardens in Chelsea. The accounts cannot be confirmed beyond doubt. If true, this aircraft performed the first successful mechanical flight.