The machine is mounted on a wheeled running gear, two wheels under the front edge of the main planes and one a short distance forward in the centre. There is also a small wheel at each extreme end of the lower main plane.
The Cody biplane has frequently carried a passenger, besides the pilot, and is credited with a speed of 38 miles per hour.
The first aeroplane flights ever made in England were by Captain Cody on this biplane, January 2, 1909.
THE SOMMER BIPLANE.
The Sommer biplane is closely similar to the Farman machine, but has the hinged ailerons only on the upper plane. Another difference is that the tail has but one surface, and the rudder is hung beneath it. Its dimensions are:—Spread of main planes, 34 feet; depth (fore-and-aft), 6 feet 8 inches; they are set 6 feet apart. The area of the main planes is 456 square feet; area of tail, 67 square feet; area of rudder, 9 square feet. It is driven by a 50-horsepower Gnome motor, turning an 8-foot, two-bladed propeller.
M. Sommer has flown with three passengers, a total weight of 536 lbs., besides the weight of the machine.
THE BALDWIN BIPLANE.
The Baldwin biplane, designed by Captain Thomas S. Baldwin, the distinguished balloonist, resembles the Farman type in some features, and the Curtiss in others. It has the Curtiss type of ailerons, set between the wings, but extending beyond them laterally. The elevator is a single surface placed in front of the machine, and the tail is of the biplane type with the rudder between. The spread of the main planes is 31 feet 3 inches, and their depth 4 feet 6 inches. A balancing plane of 9 square feet is set upright (like a fin) above the upper main plane, on a swivel. This is worked by a fork fitting on the shoulders of the pilot, and is designed to restore equilibrium by its swinging into head-resistance on one side or the other as may be necessary.
The Baldwin biplane, showing balancing plane above upper main plane.