L.Opdyke French Aeroplanes Before the Great War (Schiffer)

Журнал Flight

Flight, October 29, 1910

IMPRESSIONS OF THE PARIS SHOW - (continued).
By OISEAU.

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M. SOMMER again shows a biplane which in no way differs from his previous models, but there also appears on his stand a monoplane which has during the past few months made some successful cross-country flights. It follows in appearance the conventional lines of the average monoplane, but differs in one or two matters of detail. The fusellage is of the Bleriot type now so commonly employed, and the tail is weight carrying, though with the elevator hinge on to the trailing edge. The angle of inclination of the tail plane can be altered at will by the pilot by means of a wheel fixed by his left hand. This fitting has been copied direct from the Sommer biplane. The control-lever and the chassis also closely resemble those of the biplane. As one might expect, the Gnome motor is fitted.
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Flight, December 24, 1910

AEROPLANE SILHOUETTES FROM THE PARIS SHOW.

THE SOMMER MONOPLANE.

   CONSTRUCTED at Mouzon, in the Ardennes, by Roger Sommer, whose biplane is already well known. Double-surfaced planes. Framework of wood. Has passed its trials satisfactorily.
   General dimensions. - Length overall, 9 metres; width, 10.50 metres; bearing surface, 17 square metres.
   Seating capacity. - One.
   Engine. - 50-hp. 7-cyl. air-cooled rotary Gnome.
   Propeller. - Rapid, of two blades.
   Chassis. - Similar to that employed on the Sommer biplane. Two wheels, connected by a steel axle and fastened by rubber springs to a simple wooden chassis, the lower members of which form two skids curving forwards and upwards. Under the tail is a curved wooden skid.
   Tail. - Weight-lifting tail plane, the angle of which may be altered during flight by means of a series of rods and cranks leading to a small hand-wheel placed on the right side of the pilot. The elevator, which is hinged to the trailing edge of the tail plane, is divided into two sections, to admit of the single centrally-placed rudder working freely.
   Lateral stability. - Maintained by the flexing of the trailing edges of the main planes.
   Weight. - Complete with motor, 265 kilogs.
   Speed. - 90 kiloms. an hour.
   System of control. - The sideway movement to the right or left of a single vertical lever controls the flexing of the wings, whilst the backward and forward movement of the same lever elevates and depresses the machine. Steering is controlled by a foot-lever. All control wires are duplicated.
   Price. - Complete with 50-h.p. Gnome, 20,000 frs.


Flight, February 25, 1911

The New Sommer Machine.

   VERY fair success appears to have been attained by M. Sommer with his new fast machine, the chief characteristic of which is its flat planes. Not only has a good turn of speed been obtained but the machine has shown itself capable of carrying a heavy load in the way of passengers,