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 construction with the exception that instead of one large wing, two smaller wings were used. The original Goupy (1909) was built to the plans of M. Goupy and Lieut. Calderara. It was characterized by a front horizontal rudder, which was later abandoned, and a four-bladed propeller. At Rheims, Ladougne, on a Goupy won many prizes, and the Goupy showed exceptional stability in strong winds.
Top Speed: 45 m.p.h.
Engine: 50 horse-power, 7-cylinder Gnome rotary
Wingspan: 19.5 feet
Weight: 1,000 pounds
Specifications from “Monoplanes and Biplanes,†by Grover Loening, 1911
Frame
The central frame is of the ordinary Bleriot wood and cross-wire construction. The main biplane cell is at the front and at the rear is placed a smaller cell.
Main Wings
The most distinguishing feature of this biplane is the staggering of the main wings, i.e., the upper one is placed ahead of the lower one. It is claimed that this disposition gives increased stability in “volplaning.” Both the upper and lower planes have ailerons attached at their ends, resembling very much those used on the former Bleriot IX. The curvature is flat, and the planes have a considerable thickness. The spread is 19 1/2 feet, and the depth 6 1/2 feet. The surface area is 237 square feet.
Elevators
At the rear of the machine is a horizontal biplane tail. The lower surface of this tail is divided into three parts, the central one being fixed and the outer ones movable. These outer sections move jointly, and resemble the elevation rudder mi the Bleriot XI. bis.
A Bleriot cloche (explained in full under the Bleriot XI.) is provided for control. By pulling back on the cloche, the incidence of the ailerons is increased, and at the same time the rear elevation rudder is turned up, so that there is a very strong movement for ascent, the front rising and the rear descending.
The Direction Rudder
A single-surface direction rudder is placed at the rear, and is operated by movement of a steering wheel mounted on the control column. No foot lever is used. To turn to any side the wheel is turned to that side.
Roll Control
The ailerons are actuated by the side to side movement of the cloche. If the machine were suddenly tipped up on the right side then the cloche would be pulled over to the right thus increasing the incidence of the left ailerons and decreasing the incidence of the right ones. This pulls the machine up on the left side and down on the right, thus correcting the equilibrium.
Keel
The fixed portion of the lower plane at the rear and the small plane above it act as keels exerting a considerable lift. There is also a small tapering vertical keel in front of the rear cell, and the two end panels of the small rear cell are “curtained” with fabric, thus giving two more vertical keels. The seat for the aviator is placed in the frame at the rear of the main cell. A passenger seat is placed well in front of this, over the center of gravity.
Landing Gear
The landing gear is essentially on three wheels. The two at the front are mounted on the customary steel-tube, rubber- rope spring, Bleriot chassis. There is a single wheel at the rear. The front chassis is also provided with two small but very strong skids.
Propulsion
A 50 horse-power seven-cylinder Gnome rotary motor mounted at the front drives a “Perfecta” two-bladed propeller 8 1/4 feet in diameter and 4 feet pitch at 1,200 revolutions per minute.
Weight, Speed, Loading and Aspect Ratio
The total weight in flight is nearly 1,001 pounds. The speed is 45 miles per hour. Twenty pounds are lifted per horse-power, and 4.2 pounds per square foot of surface. The aspect ratio is 3 to 1.