You are correct Philippe. This is Morris Bokor's triplane as seen at Morris Park, N.Y., winner of the first money prize in America for design and workmanship independent of performance - a $500 prize awarded by the Aeronautic Society of New York in 1909 - even though it failed to fly.
Bokor had for some months been in the employ of Wilbur R. Kimball (the 8-propeller Kimball biplane) at Morris Park, and built his triplane during his spare hours and on Sundays. In light of his triplane's inability to leave the earth, Bokor made many changes to it and eventually took the machine to Arlington, New Jersey, where it won the $500 prize for excellence of construction. There at North Arlington during the Aero Carnival Week of May 25, 1909 - which featured Baldwin's airship, his newest
California Arrow, and two aeroplanes, the other being Victor Ochoa's ornithopter - Bokor made an attempt at flight but could only manage a top speed of 12 mph while running along an unpaved road. The triplane was subsequently taken to Westbury, Long Island, but it never did get off the ground.
I believe Morris Bokor was a Hungarian immigrant who lived in the Bronx in New York - however, I'm unable to say that with certainty at the present time.
Quote:
Recent activity by members of the Aeronautic Society has resulted in the production of several new aeroplanes at Morris Park, one or two of which have already been given their first trials. At the present time there are completed or under construction upon the society's grounds, a monoplane, four biplanes, and one triplane, as well as a new helicopter.
One of the novel machines now completed, and which has already undergone several tests, is the triplane of Morris Bokor. This machine is shown in one of our illustrations, Its three planes have a spread of 26 feet and a width of 6 1/2, feet, making a total surface of 507 square feet. A 14 x 2 1/2 foot horizontal rudder has 70 square feet additional supporting surface, while the tail, consisting of two pairs of surfaces at a sharp dihedral angle, is 14 feet long and has 72 square feet. The total weight of the machine, with water, oil, and gasoline, and with Mr. Bokor on board is 1,181 pounds, so that the usual ratio of weight to supporting surface *2 pounds to the square foot* is closely adhered to. The upper and lower planes are 6 and 5 feet above and below the middle plane respectively. The inventor's theory as to why less space between the lower and middle planes can be used than is required between the middle and upper one is that the draft of the propellers will draw the air back below the middle plane, and thus tend to check or neutralize the interference of the lower plane. The two propellers, which are driven in opposite directions by chains from the motor, are 8 feet in diameter, with an 11-foot pitch. They are made of wood and have quite narrow blades, covered partly with cloth. The propellers make one revolution to 3 1/2 of the motor. They gave 248 pounds thrust at 500 R.P.M. with the machine held stationary. The motor used is a four-cylinder, 4 x 4-inch, A and B [American & British] four-cycle automobile motor. The inventor claims 38 horse-power for it at 1,800 R.P.M., but this figure is probably somewhat high. The motor alone weighs 310 pounds, but with all accessories including a 15-pound magneto, a 30-pound Livingston radiator, 30 pounds of water, and 34 pounds of fuel and fuel tank, the weight is 419 pounds.
The main feature of the Bokor aeroplane is the use of a pendulum seat for the aviator, which is connected by cables to the ends of the lower plane at the rear. The outer rear parts of this plane are supported upon flexible trusses running along it, and which are in turn carried upon hinged rods extending back from the vertical uprights at the ends of the planes.
When the machine tips to one side or the other the aviator's seat remains horizontal and exerts a pull upon the flexible rear edges of the lower plane, thus giving it the proper inclination to cause the machine to right itself again. Another feature of this aeroplane is the tail, consisting of two large tetrahedral-like cells, which should aid in giving the machine stability. Since the photograph reproduced herewith was taken, the inventor has mounted his aeroplane upon skids. In starting, the whole machine is placed upon a four wheeled chassis, to enable it to run along upon the ground. This chassis is left behind when the machine rises. In all probability, however, a larger engine will have to be installed before the triplane can be made to soar.
Source: Some New American Aeroplanes.
|

The Bokor Triplane is one of the few American flying machines to be honoured by its issuance as a postcard in France
(thanks Kees for finding the card) - and presenting a rare portrait of its inventor, albeit his name was somehow lost in translation - and so it goes that Challenge #132 will be offered by Sodium, from that country.
Scoreboard at the end of Challenge #131 -
The Bokor Triplane of 1909 - is:
23.60 Rbailey
18.20 Varese2002
15.80 aerohydro
12.20 Aquilius
8.20 Rod_Filan
8.00 richard B
7.30 matte_kudasai
6.00 Cruze
6.00 Flamingo
6.00 YavorD
5.50 Airarticles
**************
(those above this section must wait 12 hours before answering,
those below - and everyone else - may answer immediately)
**************
3.30 berman
3.00 Lodzermensch
3.00 joegertler
2.00 sobrien
2.00 Doc
1.10 Froggy
1.00 paolomiana
1.00 sodium 
0.40 Wind In The Wires
0.20 Willi Von Klugermann
0.20 EricGoedkoop
-
Cheers, and Go Yankees!