The original Voisin type was soon replaced by the type “Bordeaux,” quite different from the original in controls and structure. There were several innovations on this machine, notably the Gnome rotary engine of 11 cylinders set like the spokes of a wheel.
The under-carriage and tail-booms and much of the understructure was made of steel tubing. Its greatest contribution to the modern airplane was the steering-wheel. This was operated by a joy stick, which ran from the front elevator to a wheel in front of the pilot which was pushed forward to force the nose of the machine down, and pulled back to force it up. This made steering much easier. The rudders were worked by wires leading to a pivoted bar on which the pilot’s feet rested. Pushing the right foot steered to the right, pushing the left foot steered to the left – which was also a very natural motion. This method of construction has been maintained to this day on all airplanes.
The Voisin was one of the first “pusher” type of machine with only a single propeller in the rear of the engine and wings.
The front elevator was eliminated and ailerons on the upper plane took the place of the cellular partitions. The type “Bordeaux” successful flights, especially in the hands of early aviatiors like Metrot, Bregi, and Bielovucie. The latter made his notable Paris-Bordeaux flight on this type. The type “Bordeaux Militaire,” two-seated and equipped with double controlling systems, promised to be one of the most practical of the day’s biplanes.
Top Speed: 51 m.p.h.
Engine: 55 horse-power Gnome
Wingspan: 36 feet
Weight: 1,300 pounds
Specifications from “Monoplanes and Biplanes,†by Grover Loening, 1911
The Frame
Steel tubing is very largely used in the framework, only the ribs and part of the central fuselage being made of wood. The main cell carries the usual chassis of steel tubing and fuselage at the center. The outriggers to the rear are also very much as on the old Voisin type.
The Main Wings
The planes are of the same span, but slightly different in shape. The upper one alone carries ailerons. The structure of the surfaces is the familiar wooden rib, covered over and under with fabric, the longitudinal spars being of steel tubing. The spread is 36 feet, the depth 6 1/2 feet, and the surface area 395 square feet.
Elevators
At the rear, back of the horizontal tail, and forming its trailing edge, is the single-surface elevator, 12 1/2 feet wide and 2 l/2 feet deep. This is operated by the forward and back motion of the controlling column.
The Direction Rudder
Under the horizontal tail at the rear is the single-surface direction rudder, which is turned by the movement of the steering wheel fixed on the controlling columns.
Roll Control
At the rear ends of the upper plane are hinged ailerons, 2 1/2 feet chord and 9 2/3 feet wide, which hang down loose when the machine is standing still, and fly out in the air stream when in flight. They are controlled by foot pedals very much as on the M. Farman, excepting that the counterweights are not used. The two controlling systems installed for the type “militaire” are precisely duplicates of each other.
The Tail
The rear horizontal tail surface is placed at a considerable angle of incidence, and exerts an appreciable lift. It is 4-1/2 feet deep and 12-1/2 feet wide. The engine is placed very nearly at the center and two sets of steering gear are provided
Propulsion
At the rear of the central fuselage is mounted the motor, which must be of 55 horse-power and weigh less than 440 pounds. E. N. V. 60 horse-power and Gnome motors are largely used. A Voisin two-bladed steel and aluminum propeller, driven at 1,100 r.p.m. and 8.2 feet in diameter, is used.
Landing Gear
The landing gear is on a steel-tube chassis fitted with two large wheels and coiled spring shock absorbers, under the front of the cell, a small wheel on the nose of the fuselage as a special protection when landing, and two skids at the rear.
Seats
Two seats side by side are built into the fuselage just in front of the main cell. They are exceptionally well placed, and enable the pilot to have a clear view. The entire machine presents a very simple and finished appearance.
Weight, Speed, Loading and Aspect Ratio
The speed is nearly 51 miles per hour. The aspect ratio is 5.6 to 1. The weight varies from 1,303 to 1,550 pounds with full load. Twenty-eight pounds are lifted per horse-power, and 3.14 pounds per square foot of surface. An added departure in this type is the enlargement of the carrying surface by the addition of a panel on either end of the upper plane, as on the M. Farman of Tabuteau, the Type Michelin, etc.