OK, agreed. But, so far as I know, only the *French* put an observer in
a propeller-backed 'podium' on the front of a normal a/c.... This alone
is World Class.
> My own personal favorite is the Fokker
> V.8 which was (depending on who you read) either a quintuplane,
> or a septuplane, or a "tandem tri-biplane". It was basically a
> lengthened Dr.I with 3 standard Dr.I wings mounted in the extreme
> nose with a second pair of Dr.I wings mounted just aft of the
> cockpit. A truly marvelous looking machine! The Russian
> Bezobrazov triplane was a close second however - it had a wing
> stagger so extreme that the top wing was completely forward
> of the prop while the bottom wing was about half-way between
> the cockpit and the tail.
Oh, geez, they sound marvelous! You have to nominate these guys for the
Honors, here.
As well, it sounds as if you have access to quite a resource, there.
What's the name of this gem (or gems)? Sounds like I have to read it!
Anyways, my intent was all in fun. But, hey, what else is rubbishing
the French for?....
Erik :^)
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"The Heavens were the grandstands, and only the Gods were spectators. The
stake was the World. The forfeit was the Player's place at the table; and
the Game had no recess. It was the most dangerous of all sports-- and the
most fascinating. It got in the blood like wine. It aged men 40 years in
40 days; it ruined nervous systems in an hour. It was a fast game-- the
average life of a pilot at the Front was 48 hours. And, to many, it
seemed an Age....
Elliot White Springs, WWI ace
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