Deperdussin Coupe Schneider Trophy Winner
HISTORY
- The Schneider Trophy races began in 1913. A Frenchman named Armand Deperdussin formed a company to build an airplane to represent France in the first race. The aircraft designed in 1912 by Louis Bechereau was a shoulder-wing monoplane incorporating two Gnome rotary engines mounted on a common crankshaft.
- The monocoque fuselage was circular in cross section and was of wooden construction, as were the wings and tail surfaces. The aircraft was designed to use both wheeled and float-type landing gear. The wings and landing gear were externally braced with wires, and lateral control was performed by wing warping, in lieu of ailerons.
- Wearing race number 17, the wheeled version of the Deperdussin racer won the 1912 James Gordon Bennett Cup at Chicago with a speed of over 108 mph, piloted by Jules Vedrines. This was a world record, and the first time an airplane had exceeded 100 mph.
- In April 1913, pilot Maurice Prevost won the first Schneider Trophy race at Monaco, flying the floatplane version of the aircraft. The Deperdussin's average speed was only 45.75 mph. This was caused by the judges requiring Prevost to repeat his take-off and six miles of the course.
- The 1913 Gordon Bennett Cup race was held at Rheims, France in September. Piloted by Prevost, the Deperdussin again won the cup, with an average speed of 124.6 mph. During the race, the aircraft set three world speed records, and its maximum speed reached 126.7 mph.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Status: Replica |
| Manufacturer: Societe Pour Les Appareils Deperdussin (SPAD) |
| Year: Replica based on 1913 aircraft |
| Model: Deperdussin racer |
Registration Number:
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| Serial Number: |
| Crew: 1 |
| Max T/O Weight: 2,860 lb. |
| Span: 44 ft. 3 in. |
| Length: 29 ft. 6 in. |
| Height: 11 ft. 3 in. |
| Maximum Speed: 125 mph |
| Cruise Speed: 75 |
Rate of Climb: N/A
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| Power Plant: 1 × Gnome 14-cylinder rotary air-cooled engine |
| Range: N/A |
| Service Ceiling: N/A |
| Armament: None |
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