LANGLEY SMITHERS monoplane

   This aircraft was built in 1908-1909 and was assembled and tested at Knockholt Cricket ground in Kent. It took off, but crashed on the first attempt and appears not to have been rebuilt.
   The fuselage of the monoplane was an open parallel girder, with curved top and bottom members, meeting at both front and rear ends. A tailplane and front elevator were fitted. There was considerable dihedral to the wings, which were braced to a tall pylon of four struts, and could be warped. The unidentified type of motor drove twin tractor propellers, apparently by shafts and bevel gearing.