In June, 1909, Roger Summer purchased a biplane constructed by Henri Farman, and on July 3d he made his first flight. Scarcely a month later he held the world’s record for duration of flight, having flown continuously for two and a halt hours. His sudden jump into the ranks of the great aviators was unusual and showed that, after all, it was not so hard to learn to fly well. At Rheims and at Doncaster, during the fall of 1909, he won many prizes, but shortly after this gave up flying on the Farman aeroplane and proceeded to design and construct his own.
On January 6th, 1910, this biplane was completed and tried out for the first time. M. Sommer at once succeeded in making three perfect flights of several kilometers each, and after three days of experimenting, a long cross-country flight was made. This aeroplane was also operated by Lindpainter and Legagneux. On December 31st. 1910, the Sommer flew 109 miles in competition for the Michelin trophy, and later, an especially large Sommer established a passenger carrying record.
Top Speed: 46 m.p.h.
Engine: 53 horse-power Gnome rotary 7-cylinder
Wingspan: 33 feet
Weight: 800 pounds
Specifications from “Monoplanes and Biplanes,†by Grover Loening, 1911
The Frame
The materials of construction of the frame are chiefly hickory and ash, steel joints and steel tubing. The general character and appearance of the frame is somewhat similar to that on the Farman machine.
The Main Wing
Two identical and directly superposed rigid planes carry the machine. The surfaces are made of rubber cloth covering wooden ribs. The sectional curvature of the surfaces is not as highly arched as on most other types, but is more nearly ;is in the Wright machine, a very even and gently sloping curve. The spread of the wings is 33 feet, the depth 5.2 feet, and the surface area 326 square feet.
The Direction Rudder
The direction rudder consists of a single surface at the rear of 10 square feet area. It is operated by a foot lever, governed by the aviator. To turn to the right this lever is turned to the right, etc.
The Elevators
At a distance of 8.25 feet in front of the main cell, and supported on framing carried down to the skids, is situated the single surface elevation rudder. This is governed by a large lever in the aviator’s right hand, which when pushed out turns down the rudder, and when pulled in turns up the rudder, thus respectively lowering and raising the aeroplane.
Roll Control
The lateral equilibrium is secured by means of two ailerons, one placed on either end. at the rear of the upper main plane. In distinction to the Farman there are no ailerons on the lower plane. The control is by side-to-side motion of the large lever exactly as on the H. Farman.
Keel
A single horizontal plane of 50 square feet area and of very light construction is placed at the rear and steadies the machine longitudinally. This plane is movable, although it does not act as a rudder. A lever at the right hand of the aviator, which automatically “locks,”‘ enables the angle of incidence of this surface to be varied at will, thus increasing the attainable stability.
Propulsion
A 53 horse-power Gnome rotary air-cooled 7-cylinder motor, placed at the rear of the main cell, drives direct a Chauviere wooden propeller of 7 feet diameter and 5.2 feet pitch at 1,200 r.p.m. The Seat for the aviator is fitted more comfortably than in other aeroplanes, and is placed on the front of the lower plane at the center. The Landing Gear consists of a combination of two large wheels at the front and two smaller ones at the rear. The front wheels are attached by rubber springs to two skids, built under the frame. The skids themselves are attached to the main cell by uprights, the joints being made of a springy sheet of metal bolted to the framing. This adds still further to the extremely springy character of the landing gear.
Weight, Speed, Landing and Aspect Ratio
The total weight varies from 800 to 900 pounds; the speed is 46 miles per hour; 16 pounds are lifted per horse-power, and 2.76 pounds carried per square foot of surface. The aspect ratio is 6.35 to 1.
Recent
Alterations
For racing purposes the Sommer has recently been altered. The two end panels of the lower surface have been eliminated, very much as on some of the Farman machines. This reduces the area of surface to 256 square feet, and makes the loading 3.25 pounds per square foot.