L.Opdyke French Aeroplanes Before the Great War (Schiffer)
Deleted by request of (c)Schiffer Publishing
Dutheil et Chalmers
These famous motor builders made a brief entry into aeroplane building. In 1909 they built a biplane similar to the Farman, but with triplane elevators and a single rudder between the tailplanes; ailerons were set between the wings.
The firm, wishing to produce copies of the Demoiselle, received a single example from Santos-Dumont, but did not carry through the project. This is the Demoiselle preserved and is now exhibited at the Musee de l'Air et de l'Espace at Le Bourget.
(Span: 10 m; length: 10m; 42 hp flat 4-cylinder water-cooled Dutheil et Chalmers)
Журнал Flight
Flight, October 23, 1909
FLYER SILHOUETTES FROM THE PARIS SALON.
Dutheil-Chalmers.
Biplane designed somewhat on Voisin lines, but remarkable for the prevalence of ,wire-suspended members. The pilot's seat is hung on wires, as also is the steering-wheel, and the same system has been adopted for supporting the short spindles on which the balancing-planes between the main decks are mounted. This latter detail is well illustrated in the accompanying photograph; the arrangement of wires there shown applies in the main to the other members which are less clearly visible.
A feature in the design which is uncommon is that the outrigger for the tail springs from the front struts of the main planes instead of from the rear spars. This increases the length of an already long member, and thus adds to the difficulties of transportation when dismantled, but at the same time it affords a convenient support for the engine, and otherwise makes for straightforward construction.
The chassis combines runners and wheels, the latter being spring suspended. This portion of the machine reflects the source of the design, which we are informed originates from the makers of the Avia monoplane.
