Antoinette III
Tha Antoinette III was a pioneer aircraft developed in France during 1908.
| Antoinette III | |
|---|---|
| Role | Pioneer aircraft |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Antoinette |
| Designer | Léon Levavasseur |
| First flight | 1908 |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from | Gastambide-Mengin II |
Development
After the limited success of the Gastambide-Mengin monoplane Levavasseur completely revised the design resulting in the Antoinette III. The inadequate roll control was not greatly improved, retaining the wing warping of the Gastambide-Mengin. Ground handling and take-off / landing performance was improved, however, by revising the complex inadequate quadricycle undercarriage of the Gastambide-Mengin, with strut supported wheels forward and aft on the centre-line and side-by-side wheels midway between the singles. Other improvements came in the form of the cruciform tail unit with large triangular fins above and below the rear fuselage, as well as the large tailplane, all of which supported triangular control surfaces.[1]
Control was found to be marginal at best, but short flights were made regularly.[1]
Specifications (Antoinette III)
Data from [1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 14 m (45 ft 11 in)
- Wingspan: 12.5 m (41 ft 0 in)
- Wing area: 40 m2 (430 sq ft)
- Gross weight: 519 kg (1,144 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Antoinette 8V V-8 water-cooled piston engine, 37 kW (50 hp) at 1,100 rpm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 75 km/h (47 mph, 40 kn)
Notes
References
- Jane, Fred T. (1909). Jane's all the World's Airships 1909. London: Sampson, Low & Marston. SBN 7153-4649-0.