Avion III of Clément Ader (1897)
In 1890, French inventor Clément Ader constructed a bat-winged tractor monoplane. The Eole achieved a brief, uncontrolled hop, thus becoming the first heavier-than-air machine to take off under its own power - however, one can not claim at actually flew. This aircraft is no more existant.
However his similar but larger Avion III of 1897, powered by twin steam engines, is one of the most remarkable and impressive displays in the Parisian Musée des Arts et Métiers. Unfortunately, the Avion III failed to fly at all. |
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