History of AirplanesA monoplane is an aircraft with one main set of wing surfaces, in contrast to a biplane or triplane. Since the late 1930s it has been the “ordinary” form for a fixed wing aircraft.
In a high-wing monoplane, the wing upper surface is mounted above the top of the fuselage. The term parasol monoplane, is more or less obsolete - it used to be applied to a high-wing monoplane, especially one where the wing was mounted well above the fuselage.
Today, small, light airplanes, like the Piper Cub, are high-wing monoplanes.
How do you fire a machine gun through the arc of a spinning propeller? Early in 1915, aviators engaged in the First World War wanted to solve that problem. Obviously, the bullets of the machine gun would smash a propeller to bits. So far in the war, German, French, and British airmen had fired [...]
For World War One, the Morane-Saulnier A-1 had very modern lines and was very streamlined; it resembles small airplanes that you can see today at any general aviation airport. 1,210 were produced, but it never made a big impact at the front. Not long after its introduction it was withdrawn to serve as trainers, as [...]
This interesting aeroplane, designed and built by the Aeronautical Syndicate, Ltd., in England, was such a departure from other early monoplanes, that it excited a great deal of comment. Many pioneering flights were made on this “All-British” machine, and it speedily took its place among prominent airplanes of the day.
Specifications from “Monoplanes and [...]
This monoplane was partticularly notable for the position of its propeller, its low center of gravity, the upturned ends of the plane, and the provision of a clutch enabling the aviator to start the motor, step into the machine, and then start the propeller. Many biplanes and monoplanes were built by M. [...]
The progress in Germany during 1910 was not restricted to imitating the French, as some supposed at the time, but included the development of many interesting and distinctive aeroplanes. One of the most successful of these was the Dorner monoplane, which resembled the Pischof more than any other. The weight carried per horse-power [...]
Coast Guard Dolphin in NYC
Aero Digest specsEast Boston (now Logan) airport in 1936.
Eight-place high-wing amphibion monoplane.
Two P. & W. Wasp engines, 450 h.p. each.
The Douglas Dolphin was an amphibious flying boat. While fewer than 60 were built, they served a wide variety of roles: private ” air yacht”, airliner, military transport, and search and rescue. [...]
Rearwin Airplanes, Incorporated, Fairfax Airport, Kansas City, Kansas
Specifications from Aero Digest, April, 1935:
• Two-place high-wing monoplane. ATC 469. LeBlond engine, 70 horsepower. Span 35 feet. Length overall 22 feet 3 inches. Height overall 6 feet 9 inches. Wing area 166 square feet. Chord 62.5 inches. Power loading 18 pounds per horsepower. Wing loading 8.13 [...]
Rearwin Airplanes, Incorporated, Fairfax Airport, Kansas City, Kansas
Specifications from Aero Digest, April, 1935:
• Two-place open or closed high-wing monoplane. A TC 469. Aeromarine engine, 50 horsepower. Span 36 feet. Length 21 feet 8 inches. Height 7 feet 3 inches. Wing area 179 square feet. Power loading 21.3 pounds per horsepower. Wing loading 5.95 pounds [...]
Burnelli Aircraft, Ltd., Keyport, New Jersey
Specifications from Aero Digest, April, 1935:
• President: 1. M. Uppercu. Vice-president and General Manager: Vincent J. Burnelli. Sales Manager: H. R. Boyce. Chief Engineers: (Military division) Dr. Michael Watter; (Transport division) R. Contini.
Sixteen-place monoplane. Two P. & W. Hornet engines, 675 horsepower each.
Span 71 feet 2.4 inches. [...]
Taylor Aircraft Company, Bradford, Pennsylvania
Specifications from Aero Digest, April, 1935:
• President and General Manager: C. G. Taylor. Secretary-Treasurer: W. T. Piper. Sales Manager: T. Weld. Chief Engineer: W. C. Jamouneau. Export representative: Frederic Henjes, Jr., 24 State Street, New York City, New York.
Two-place open or closed high-wing land monoplane. (Models E-2 and F-2 [...]