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 construction and the customary disposition of parts in an aeroplane, that was a distinct advance. Caille flew this type well.
Top Speed: 50 m.p.h.
Engine: 50 horse-power 7-cylinder Gnome
Wingspan: n.a.
Weight: 950 pounds
Specifications from “Monoplanes and Biplanes,†by Grover Loening, 1911
The Frame
The frame mainly consists of two lateral girders about 6 1/2 feet apart, placed one over the other, and two longitudinal girders, attached to the lower one. The lateral girders form the entering edge of the main planes, and to them are affixed the numerous ribs. These girders are connected by four huge wooden uprights very wide and thin, fixed by a novel leather joint. The longitudinal girders carry the elevator at the front. and the rudder and tail at the rear. There is a total absence of cross-wires, the necessary bracing being obtained by the use of a few stout steel cables. The girders are made of the famous Fabre built-up latticework, consisting of two long strips of wood connected by a line of steel triangular plates, the whole giving extremely low weight and resistance as well as great strength.
The Main Wings
The ribs of the wings are very flexibly fixed to the main cross girders by an ingenious clip, which is very easy to remove or replace. In the canvas of the planes are sewn pockets corresponding to each rib. To put the covering on, these pockets are merely slipped over the ribs and the edges of the material clipped to the front girder and to the rear of each rib. This is an exceptionally practical provision. The surfaces of the planes are very smooth from front to back and are unobstructed by any cross pieces.
The Elevators
The elevation rudder, at the front, is small in size and very strong. It is operated by the forward or back movement of the controlling column, as on the Curtiss and M. Farman.
The Direction Rudder
The direction rudder is suspended rigidly by cables at the rear just in front of the horizontal empennage. It is actuated by the rotation of the steering wheel on the control column, clockwise for a turn to the right, etc.
Roll Control
The great elasticity of the planes readily permits of their being warped to preserve transverse equilibrium. This is done by the side-to-side motion of the controlling column, a movement to the left, pulling down the rear edge of the plane at the right, etc.
Tail
A rear horizontal tail or empennage is provided. it is held in place by a lever which can be moved in a slotted bar. and which is locked and unlocked by a key. This enables the incidence of this rear plane to be altered at will and made weight lifting or not, depending on the load to be carried.
Propulsion
A 50 horse-power 7-cylinder Gnome motor, placed at the rear of the nacelle, drives at 1,300 r.p.m. a “Normale” wooden two-blade propeller, 8.9 feet in diameter and of variable pitch.
The Nacelle.-The seats, the steering gear, the gasoline tank, etc., are all enclosed in a fusiform body of aluminum sheeting, called the nacelle. This is suspended rigidly from the frame, but in no way rests on it. It is very light, affords great comfort, and is an especially desirable feature because of the ease with which the motor and propeller can be regulated as regards their adjustment and landing gear.
The
Landing Gear
Two very long and strong skids are attached under the main lower lateral girder by heavy uprights, and extend out and up to the elevator. At a point about below the center of gravity a pair of heavy rubber-tired wheels are elastically mounted to the skids. At the rear under the direction rudder is a small skid.
Weight, Speed, Loading and Aspect Ratio
The total weight is 950 to 1,050 pounds. The speed is 48 to 50 miles an hour. The aspect ratio is 8 to 1. This is exceptionally high. Twenty-one pounds are carried per horse-power, and 3.28 pounds per square foot of surface.