johnbr
2nd Lieutenant
Full front view (slightly from the side) of a Washington Columbia monoplane on the ground, circa 1912.
Washington Columbia Monoplane
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at6
1st Sergeant
Looks relatively advanced for it's time.
Interesting, not heard of this before. Looks typical for its time, conventional layout shoulder wing monoplane with slight dihedral on the wings. Resembles Bleriot, R.E.P, Deperdussin, Blackburn machines of similar vintage. Powered by a 40 to 50 hp seven cylinder rotary radial, you can tell it's a rotary by the hooded upper cowl, preventing (or doing its best at preventing) lubricant from spraying the occupant. Big hunk of wood on the front probably pulls the thing along at around 40 to 60 - 65 mph, being able to reach heights of up to 3 to 5,000 ft and a max endurance of around half an hour. Within a year or so the basic design, features and performance would be approaching obsolescence.
Mild diherdral on the wings with wing warping as lateral control, looking at the bracing wires, although there's a possibility it might not have wing warping, in which case it's what the French called a 'Total Stability Type'. This had no lateral control, a turn executed with rudder only, causing the machine to side-slip around with a small amount of bank only. When straight and level the machine automatically rights itself, hence the name. The Wrights changed French perceptions of how to manoeuvre a flying machine, beginning in August 1908 when Wilbur gave public demos at Le Mans.
Empennage comprises big circular elevator, no fixed hori stab visible and rudder, possibly no fixed vert stab also, although can't tell from this view. Structurally, the machine is typical famework of wood (pioneering metal tubular structure maybe?) braced by wires, with fabric covering wing surfaces. Undercarriage is framed around the inverted triangular structure supporting the skid, which serves two purposes, stopping the nose tipping and breaking the prop and supporting the machine on the ground. The wheels are likely bungee sprung, with the axles hinged at the skid, meaning they allow the aeroplane to roll along the ground and provide suspension, but weight is on the skid. This is based on the lengthy and flimsy looking upright.
Of course, this is all conjecture based on a photograph...
Mild diherdral on the wings with wing warping as lateral control, looking at the bracing wires, although there's a possibility it might not have wing warping, in which case it's what the French called a 'Total Stability Type'. This had no lateral control, a turn executed with rudder only, causing the machine to side-slip around with a small amount of bank only. When straight and level the machine automatically rights itself, hence the name. The Wrights changed French perceptions of how to manoeuvre a flying machine, beginning in August 1908 when Wilbur gave public demos at Le Mans.
Empennage comprises big circular elevator, no fixed hori stab visible and rudder, possibly no fixed vert stab also, although can't tell from this view. Structurally, the machine is typical famework of wood (pioneering metal tubular structure maybe?) braced by wires, with fabric covering wing surfaces. Undercarriage is framed around the inverted triangular structure supporting the skid, which serves two purposes, stopping the nose tipping and breaking the prop and supporting the machine on the ground. The wheels are likely bungee sprung, with the axles hinged at the skid, meaning they allow the aeroplane to roll along the ground and provide suspension, but weight is on the skid. This is based on the lengthy and flimsy looking upright.
Of course, this is all conjecture based on a photograph...
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Amazing that such a tiny motor powered this.
Good shot!
