J.Davilla, A.Soltan French Aircraft of the First World War (Flying Machines)

Aeroplanes Voisin

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  In 1911 a canard machine was built fitted with floats designed by Henri Fabre. A modified version of this aircraft was built in 1912 and was offered to the Marine Francaise, which purchased an unknown number of canards.
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H.King Aeromarine Origins (Putnam)

Once again the name of Voisin presents itself, and in yet another tribute to it I record that the world's first successful amphibious heavier-than-air craft was a Voisin canard biplane. In addition to its wheels this was fitted with three Fabre floats, and during August 1911, piloted by Maurice Colliex, it took off from Issy on its wheels and alighted on the Seine, afterwards making the return journey. The take-off run from water was about 200 yards.
   Nor was this a 'one-off' freak, for Gabriel recalls that he delivered to the Russian Government 'eight to ten amphibious "canard" types'; and a Voisin canard 'hydro-aeroplane' was the first marine aircraft delivered to the French Navy (mid-1912). It was housed in a special hangar aboard the battleship Foudre.

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

Jane's All The World Aircraft 1913

VOISIN. Voisin Aeroplanes, Boulevard Gambetta, Issy le Molineux, (Seine). School: Mourmelon. Capital 1,000,000 francs. The oldest aeroplane firm in the world, founded by the Brothers Voisin in 1905. (See past editions).

Latest models are:

   Military Military
Model and date. biplane. Hydro-biplane. biplane.
   Model 1912. Model 1912. Model 1913.

Length......feet(m.) 37? (11.50) 36 (11) 32? (10)
Span........feet(m.) 55? (17) 43? (13.50) 45-1/3 (13.80)
Area....sq.feet(m?.) 387 (36) 376 (35) 398 (37)
Weight,
   total....lbs.(kgs) 1367 (620) 1212 (550) 1102 (500)
   useful...lbs.(kgs) 772 (350) 661 (300) 794 (360)
Motor..........h.p. 70 Renault 100 Gnome 80 Gnome
Speed,
   max....m.p.h.(km.) 62 (100) 62 (100) 65 (105)
   min....m.p.h.(km.) ... ... ...
Number built
   during 1912 47 8 ...

Журнал Flight

Flight, January 14, 1911

A New Voisin Machine.

   AT the present time when most builders are abandoning the front elevator in favour of one placed at the rear, it is very interesting to notice that MM. Voisin Freres have turned out a biplane which is distinguished by the fact that it has an elevator in front, while there is an entire absence of any tail at the rear. From the accompanying photograph it will be seen that the monoplane elevator is placed a very long way in front of the main plane and that the rudder is also mounted above the elevator in front. The 50-h.p. Rossel Peugeot rotary motor and metal propeller are arranged at the rear edge of the main plane in very much the usual manner, and it will be noticed that lateral stability is maintained by means of balancing flaps at the ends of the main plane. The aviator sits some distance in advance of the main planes with the controlling levers of the usual type arranged in front of him. The position of the pilot is such that should any part of the engine break, it is extremely unlikely that it would injure him, while he is also able to get a good view of his surroundings. Needless to say the trials of this novel machine, seeing that it is the work of the Voisins, will be watched with great attention by all having any interest in aviation.
   The main planes, which are placed 1.6 metres apart, have a span of 12 metres, while the chord is 2.2 metres, so that the bearing surface amounts to 26-4 square metres. The monoplane elevator measures 4 metres by 3.2 metres, and so the area is 12.8 square metres. The fuselage, which carries the elevator in front and the motor and propeller at its after end, is a long rectangular framework mounted on a modification of the usual type of Voisin landing chassis while at its forward end are arranged a supplementary pair of wheels to assist in landing. In this connection it will be remembered that Santos Dumont's first successful flight was made on a biplane with a box form elevator mounted a considerable distance in front of the main planes, which gave the machine the appearance of flying tail first. This was illustrated in the Automotor Journal of November 24th, 1906.


Flight, February 25, 1911

Things They Do Better in France.

   IN order to assist aviators who intend to take part in a flight from Nice to Sartene, in Corsica, the Naval Commander at Toulon has received instructions to permit the cruiser "Polypheme" and two torpedo boats to render what assistance they can in the way of escort to the aviators. It is announced that Bregi, on a Voisin of the "Canard" type, intends to have a try shortly to win the prize. Bregi is now practising on this machine at Issy, the other day making on it a flight of over half-an-hour.


Flight, June 10, 1911.

FOREIGN AVIATION NEWS.

The Voisin Hydro-Aeroplane.

   ON the 25th ult., the special Voisin biplane of the Canard type, which has been built for Prince Bibesco and equipped with floats for rising from and descending on to the surface of the water, was tried on the Seine in the neighbourhood of Billancourt. Piloted by Colliex, the machine first glided for a distance of about 100 meties, and then rising from the water flew for about 500 metres, being stopped by Colliex as it approached the Auteuil Viaduct. The trials then had to be suspended, as the ferry boats rendered it impossible to continue.


Flight, December 30, 1911.

PARIS AERO SHOW.

Voisin.

   THE Canard on view on this stand is essentially the same in every detail as those which represented the Voisin firm in the Military Trials at Rheims, with the exception that, being designed to rise from and alight on water the usual landing gear is replaced by a system of floats.

Principal dimensions, &c. :-
Length 26 ft. Weight 1,210 lbs.
Span 40 ,, Speed 56 m.p.h.
Area 473 sq.ft. Motor 70-h.p. Gnome.
Price L1,200.