Moisant airplane

[Sreiko]

Hello all,

some time ago I have interesting conversation on my forum about the Moisant airplane:

Very first dive bomber

Basic subject of topic was first dive bombing ever done by US pilot but this open more questions. Interest at all is the fact that airplane mentined there is credited as first all metal airplane ever built. I would like to hear more about this plane and get some blueprints if possible. To regret I have no any relation with any in Mexico and they could be maybe able to give more answer about the dive bombing devices used on this airplane.

[Rbailey]

Sreiko - you might be interested in this, if you haven't seen it:
http://www.commercemarketplace.com/h...santindex.html

The all-metal aeroplane was built by one of the Moisant brothers in France in 1909. I don't know what was used for "dive-bombing" in Mexico, but so far as I have seen the planes in use were mostly Curtiss and Wright pushers, and some monoplanes that might have included Bleriot types built by Moisant. I've also seen reference to Morane-Saulnier monoplanes.

[Sreiko]

Very good link- thank you

[Rod_Filan]

Did the Moisant all-metal biplane in fact fly? I've never come across anything that mentions its trials.

Cheers
Rod

[Sreiko]

As you see Rod, this subject is more then interesting to research. Not only about very fisrt dive bomb at all but also some of the technology development of the time.

[Rbailey]

Rod - According to Opdyke, it is reported to have made several short flights, but had a tendency to turn over on the ground. It was painted red and called L'Ecrevisse.
He built a second with some of the same parts (fuselage and undercarriage?) but more conventional wings, that was not much better. Don't know if this had metal wings.

[Rod_Filan]

Originally Posted by Rbailey

Rod - According to Opdyke, [...] It was painted red and called L'Ecrevisse.

Thanks for the reply RB.

L'Ecrevisse = The Crayfish. An aptly-named machine. Not only because of the colour but it does look a lot like a lobster. I wonder if someone didn't casually comment that the tail resembled a lobster tail, and the red paint wasn't an afterthought.

Cheers
Rod