marvelous aeroplanes

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this is a Breguet biplane, very similar to the H-1 race #14 that entered the 1913 Schneider Cup. Actually it sank beofre racing.. these were tough times for "designers"
This is the landplane version. Among other innovations, it featured roll control through variable incidence wing panels, partially metal covered fuselage and tricycle landing gear (probably not firsts though..)

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rear view..
the control wheel is quite odd looking..

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front view, showing the nose whell and wooden ski

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last shot of the Breguet. notice the variable incidence wing hinges, the metal covered center fuselage and the ladder !!
this machine was a very succesful design for the era, with a few hundred beeing build. it was the beginning true of the Breguet company, that was eventually absorbed by Dassault Aviation after WWII.

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another very historic aeroplane, the R.E.P. designed by Robert Esnault-Peltière. This was the first aeroplane using a stick and rudder pedals for control.

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the R.E.P again. notice the odd landing gear and vertical fin under the horizontal stabilizer.
this was not a very succesful airplane all in all, and Robert Esnault Peltière is more recognized for his pionneer work in the field of astronautics.

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finally, the very historic Bleriot XI in which Louis Bleriot flew across the Channel in 1909. This is not a reproduction, it is the real airplane used by Bleriot. even the doped fabric is nearly a century old !

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close up of the Anzani 3 cylinder engine.
A few weeks after crossing the Channel, Louis Bleriot flew an other (slightly different) modèle IX in the first ever air race in Reims. This race was eventually won by Glenn Curtiss at 47.07 mph. Bleriot was second at 46.9 mph.

These aeroplanes are displayed in the 'Musée des Arts et Métiers' in the center of Paris. This beautiful museum covers every aspects of industry and technology, from bridge construction to steel industry, cars and architecture. It also displays Clément Ader's Avion III, a bat like, steam powered aeroplane that evolved from the Eole. Eole is (very) arguably the first 'heavier than air' machine ever to take flight on it's own power.

Hope you enjoyed,
fred