The total weight of the “No. XI.” monoplane is 462 pounds, without the pilot.
THE ANTOINETTE MONOPLANE.
The Antoinette is the largest and heaviest of the monoplanes. It was designed by M. Levavasseur, and has proved to be one of the most remarkable of the aeroplanes by its performances under adverse conditions; notably, the flight of Hubert Latham in a gale of 40 miles per hour at Blackpool in October, 1909.
The Antoinette has a spread of 46 feet, the surface being disposed in two wings set at a dihedral angle; that is, the outer ends of the wings incline upward from their level at the body, so that at the front they present the appearance of a very wide open “V.” These wings are trapezoidal in form, with the wider base attached to the body, where they are 10 feet in depth (fore and aft). They are 7 feet in depth at the tips, and have a total combined area of 377 square feet. The great depth of the wings requires that they be made proportionally thick to be strong enough to hold their form. Two trussed spars are used in each wing, with a short mast on each, half-way to the tip, reaching below the wing as well as above it. To these are fastened guy wires, making each wing an independent truss. A mast on the body gives attachment for guys which bind the whole into a light and rigid construction. The framework of the wings is covered on both sides with varnished fabric.
The Antoinette monoplane in flight.
The body is of triangular section. It is a long girder; at the front, in the form of a pyramid, expanding to a prism at the wings, and tapering toward the tail. It is completely covered with the fabric, which is given several coats of varnish to secure the minimum of skin friction.
Diagram showing construction of the Antoinette monoplane.
The tail is 13 feet long and 9 feet wide, in the form of a diamond-shaped kite. The rear part of it is hinged to be operated as the elevator. There is a vertical stabilizing fin set at right angles to the rigid part of the tail. The rudder for steering to right or left is in two triangular sections, one above and the other below the tail-plane. The entire length of the machine is 40 feet, and its weight is 1,045 pounds.