In 1910, Roger Sommer brought out a monoplane that followed regulation lines, but was exceptionally strong. In this machine M. Sommer at Douzy made many creditable flights within months of its introduction. The general aspect suggested a Bleriot fuselage mounted on a biplane chassis.
Top Speed: 54 m.p.h.
Engine: 50 horse-power seven-cylinder Gnome
Wingspan: 34.5 feet
Weight: 690 pounds
Specifications from “Monoplanes and Biplanes,” by Grover Loening, 1911
The Frame
The central frame fuselage is of the ordinary wood and wire construction covered for some distance under the wings. There is a Bleriot XI type frame above the plane to which it is braced.
The Main Wing
The plane is divided into two halves set at a dihedral angle, braced by wires to the central frame, and strongly resembling the Bleriot. The spread is 34 1/2 feet, the chord 5 1/2 feet, and the area 183 square feet. The main transverse member of the frame of the planes is a huge I-beam of wood.
The Elevators
Two flaps fitted on the trailing end of a weight-carrying horizontal empennage, form the elevation rudder. They are controlled by a large lever as on the Sommer biplane. All control wires are duplicate
The
The Direction Rudder
A single surface placed between the two flaps of the elevator serves as the direction rudder, and is moved by means of a foot pedal in the usual manner.
Roll Control
The planes are warped by means of the side-to-side motion of the large control lever, a movement to the left causing the right side to ascend.
Propulsion
A 50 horse-power seven-cylinder Gnome motor is placed at the front and almost completely boxed in. It drives direct a two-bladed “Rapid” propeller, 8.3 feet in diameter, at 1,200 r.p.m.
Landing Gear
The landing gear is on two main skids supported by framework to the fuselage, and across which is fitted an axle with rubber springs and carrying a rubber-tired wheel at each end. At the rear is a cane skid.
Speed, Weight, Loading and Aspect Ratio.- The speed is about 54 miles an hour. The total weight is 690 pounds, making the pounds carried per horse-power 14, and the pounds per unit surface 3.8. The aspect ratio is 6.2 to 1.