Antoinette VII

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoinette_VII

The Antoinette VII was an early French aircraft, flown in 1909.

The VII was a further development of the Antoinette IV, with increased engine
power and using a wing warping system developed by Levavasseur for the
Antoinette V in place of the Antoinette IV's ailerons.

With this aircraft, Levavasseur hoped that Antoinette test pilot Hubert Latham
would be able to make the crossing of the English Channel that he had previously
attempted in the Antoinette IV and claim the Daily Mail prize then on offer. As
it happened, the Antoinette VII's first flight took place on 25 July 1909, the
same day that Louis Blériot succeeded in crossing the channel in his Blériot XI.
Undaunted, Latham made the attempt anyway on 27 July. Unfortunately, the result
was the same, with Latham making a forced landing this time within sight of the
English coast only 1.6 km (0.99 mi) away. He and the aircraft were rescued by
HMS Russell.

The following month, Latham flew the same aircraft at the Grande Semaine
d'Aviation de la Champagne, winning the prize for altitude (155 m, 509 ft) and
coming second in the contest for the fastest circuit, with a speed of 68.9 km/h,
42.8 mph.

Specifications

General characteristics
Crew: one, pilot (later versions after 1910 could accommodate one passenger)
Length: 11.50 m (37 ft 9 in)
Wingspan: 12.80 m (42 ft 0 in)
Height: 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 50 m2 (538 ft2)
Gross weight: 590 kg (1,300 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Antoinette 8V, 37 kW (50 hp)

Performance
Maximum speed: 70 km/h (44 mph)




*