Koechlin

   Paul Koechlin designed and built his first aeroplane, a little biplane completed in May-Iune 1908; it was sometimes referred to erroneously as the first de Pischoff and Koechlin design.

   Koechlin No 1: It comprised 2 biplane cells connected like those in a box kite, with struts at the corners; unlike a box kite, the horizontal surfaces were broken at the center-lines, making shallow hexagons spanning c 3 m each; the aft cell had side-curtains. The pilot lay prone between them on a sort of hammock, his face immediately behind the 17 hp Dutheil et Chalmers 2-cylinder motor in front. 2 bicycle wheels in front and 2 castering tailwheels at the very end supported the machine on the ground. There seemed no provision for cushioning the shocks of landing - but this in practice made little difference.