History of Airplanes

This biplane, built in Switzerland by the Dufaux Brothers, was one of the most successful early biplanes equipped with a tractor propeller. It was noteworthy for its light weight. Except for having two wings, the Dufaux resembled the Antoinette monoplane more than any other type, and possessed some of the gracefulness of that early aircraft.

Many long-distance flights were made by this machine, among them a 36-kilometer flight on July 12th, 1910. Toward the end of August, Armand Dufaux flew the  biplane across Lake Geneva, a distance of 41 miles, easily and at high speed.

As early as October, 1905, the Dufaux Brothers were experimenting with heavier-than-air machines. At this date they had built a very light engine and applied it to a helicopter. This apparatus succeeded in lifting 54 pounds. In the summer of 1908, an interesting triplane was built by them, 650 square feet in area and equipped with a 125 horse-power eight-cylinder motor. The total weight was 1,400 pounds.

Top Speed: n.a.

Engine: 50 horse-power, 8-cylinder E. N. V.

Wingspan: 28 feet

Weight: 550 pounds

Specifications from “Monoplanes and Biplanes,” by Grover Loening, 1911

The Frame

The long central frame or fuselage of the Dufaux is similar to that of a monoplane, and the latticed framework itself reminds one strongly of the Antoinette. The disposition of parts is exactly as on the ordinary monoplane, the motor and propeller being at the front, the rudders and keels at the rear, and the seat just back of the main planes.

The Main Wings

The main planes are similar and directly superposed. They are constructed of the usual wooden framework covered above and below with rubber fabric. The two halves of the main cell are set at a slight dihedral angle. Their curvature is quite flat and narrow. The spread is 28 feet, the depth 5 feet, and the area 260 square feet.

Elevators

The elevation rudder consists of a single horizontal surface at the rear, triangular in shape, and operated by a wheel at the aviator’s right hand, exactly as on the Antoinette.

The Direction Rudder

The direction rudder consists of two triangular surfaces at the rear, similar to those on the Antoinette, but smaller. The direction is controlled by a foot pedal, which is turned to the right or left, according as the desired turn is to right or left.

Roll Control

The transverse control is effected by the use of ailerons, one pivoted at the rear of the main cell on either side and midway between the planes. The ailerons are operated by a lever in the aviator’s left hand. By pulling the lever to the right, for example, the left aileron is turned down, thus increasing the lift on the left side.

Keel

A vertical keel and a horizontal keel or empennage, both of which terminate in their respective rudders, are provided and greatly resemble the Antoinette.

Propulsion

An eight-cylinder E. N. V. 50 horse-power motor is mounted at the front. The propeller is driven direct at 1,300 r.p.m., and is 7 feet in diameter. A radiator is placed back of the motor.

Landing Gear

The landing gear is essentially on two wheels fitted with springs on a steel tube chassis (a la Bleriot) with a single skid projecting out in front at the center, similar to the Antoinette. There is also a small skid at the rear.

Weight, Speed, Loading and Aspect Ratio

The total weight in flight is about 550 pounds; 11 pounds are lifted per horse-power; and 2.1 pounds are carried per square foot of surface. The aspect ratio is 5.6 to 1.