French airplanes
The 1910 Paulhan biplane, actively discussed in aviation circles, was remarkable only for the strength and elasticity of its structure, and the ease with which it could be packed and shipped. Louis Paulhan, whose great exploits as an aeroplane pilot were well known, made a happy combination of a new type of [...]
One of the first machines designed by M. Goupy was a triplane with-a rear stabilizing cell, built for him by the Voisins and flown for short distances in the spring of 1908. The Goupy biplane, built in the Bleriot factory, resembled the Bleriot monoplanes in all the important features of its [...]
Early in 1909 Maurice Farman, a brother of the pioneer. Henri Farman, began his career as an aeroplane constructor, rivaling in due time his brother. Although up to the late summer of 1910 they conducted their business separately, the Farman brothers then worked in partnership, the H. Farman and the M. [...]
Henri Farman on this machine established the world’s record for duration of flight, when on December 18th, 1910, he flew continuously for almost eight hours and a half. This achievement was made possible by the great weight-lifting capacity of this type, enabling him to carry almost 450 pounds of fuel in [...]
Louis Breguet experimented with airplanes for many years at Douai, France, and gradually evolved, step by step, one of the best of the early flying machines. It is interesting to note that the first successful helicopter to lift a man was built by him and M. Richet in 1907, the total weight [...]
The Tellier monoplane flown by Dubonnet was so easy to fly that he obtained his pilot’s license on his fourth outing, and occupied the examiners only half an hour. Shortly thereafter, he made an impressive flight over Paris, and later Dubonnet and others showed the Tellier to be a peculiarly strong and reliable [...]
In 1910, Roger Sommer brought out a monoplane that followed regulation lines, but was exceptionally strong. In this machine M. Sommer at Douzy made many creditable flights within months of its introduction. The general aspect suggested a Bleriot fuselage mounted on a biplane chassis.
Top Speed: 54 m.p.h.
Engine: 50 horse-power seven-cylinder Gnome
Wingspan: [...]
The first sustained flight of a powered airplane in Europe was made by Santos-Dumont on November 12th, 1906, in a biplane of his design. In 1907 he began work on a monoplane, and after much alteration, he finally developed the highly successful little monoplane, the “Demoiselle,” the smallest aeroplane in [...]
The 1911 version of Robert Esnault-Pelterie differed radically from the older type in the method of elevation control and in the construction of the tail as well as in propeller, motor, etc. This type was built in two sizes (one or two seater) and largely preserved the graceful lines of its predecessors. After [...]
The 1909 R. E. P. monoplane was considered by many to be one of the most perfect types of aeroplanes. Great finish was exhibited in its construction and form, but due probably to motor troubles it never was flown for any great length of time. M. Pelterie, the designer, was one of [...]
