Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume III

FLYING MACHINES OF TO-DAY. Indsed, as shown in some photographs published, the two-winged monoplane, with its long trailing tail, might well be mistaken for a gigantic hawk hovering afar of! in mid- air. THE BLERIOT MONOPLANE. The Channel flight has brought into prominence the successful Blériot short-span machine (No. XI.), and its less fortunate but considerably larger rival, the Antoinette. The aeroplane on which. M. Blériot crossed the “ silver streak ” is the smallest but one of all flying machines as regards sus- taining surface, for the two wings have a total area of but 150 square feet. Since 25 M. BLERIOT CROSSING THE BORDEAUX EXPRESS DURING HIS CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM ÉTAMPES TO ORLEANS. (Photo, Topical.) lift a considerable angle of inclination' of the decks and high, speed are needed. 'The last factor is attained more easily on a mono- A BLÉRIOT MONOPLANE IN FULL FLIGHT. (Photo, Illustrations Bureau.) the weight cf machine and pilot is over 700 lbs., every square foot of deck lias to sup- port nearly 5 lbs. To obtain the necessary plane by virtue of the absence of the uprights, cross-bracing, etc., which form necessary parts of a biplane, and offer considerable head re-