Johns Multiplane

The Johns Multiplane was a very large unsuccessful experimental aircraft having seven wings and six ailerons, powered by three Liberty L-12 V-12 aircraft engines. The machine had the appearance of a biplane spliced onto the front of a triplane with two wings added at the rear. The center fuselage housed the cockpit and one engine in tractor configuration. Both side booms ended with wing-mounted engines in pusher configuration. The aileron control force was found to be extremely high.

Multiplane
Johns Multiplane ready for testing circa 1919
Role Experimental aircraft
Manufacturer American Multiplane Co.
Designer Herbert Johns
First flight 1919
Status Scrapped
Number built 1

Design and development

Designed by Herbert Johns of the American Multiplane Company in Bath, New York, Patent # 1,365,995 Flying Machine was granted to Charles A. Herrmann, also of the American Multiplane Company on Oct. 3, 1916.[1]

Operational history

The massive septi-wing made a series of short hops during testing, but was eventually scrapped in 1920[2] due to its inability to maintain controlled flight.

Johns Multiplane

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: three
  • Length: 55 ft 9 in (17 m)
  • Wingspan: 106 ft 4 in (32.4 m)
  • Powerplant: 3 × Liberty L-12 water-cooled 45° V-12 piston engine, 400 hp (300 kW) each

Performance

References
  1. "Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office". 282: 461. Retrieved 1 March 2015. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. Aviation History, Nov 2010 page 11
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