Kinbote writes ( note to line 71):
"he did remember perfectly well the little monoplane of chocolate that he...happened to be holding in the very last photograph ...of the
melancholy, riding-breeched aviator..."

Two weeks ago there were planes flying all over the city. A friend had sent me an image of a chocolate 1906 airplane named "14Bis" but because it was siimply a joke
on the chocolate brand ("Bis") out of which 14 sticks were taken to build a model of Santos Dumont's airplane, I trashed it ( on second thoughts, I recovered
it and decided to share it with the List anyway).

The airplane exhibition was part of the centenary festivities paying homage Santos Dumont and his successful flight in Paris, when he won the E. Archedeacon's prize.
This initiative was directed mainly to bring fame to the American Wright Brothers. The American millionaire, Ernest Archedeacon, decided to offer a prize to the pilot who managed to fly a machine that was not pulled by cars or any other extraneous means. The winner must fly along a minimum distance of 25 meters. Although the Wright Brothers didn't show any interest the competition was still held in Paris, in October 23, 1906.

Santos Dumont's "first mechanical flight" crossed 60 meters flying at 2 to 3 meters above ground at Bagatelle's park.

Additional information:
Santos Dumont's 14Bis frame measured 11.20m, it length was of 9.68m and its height 3.40m. The total surface measured 79.60m2.The steering instruments
( direction and depth) were placed in front of the plane, and its wings were placed behind with the motor situated bt the wings. The T-shaped tail
was in the front. The first model for the 14BIS had 3 wheels for landing, afterwards SD eliminated the one in the rear. They were simple bicycle wheels separated by a mere 70cm.The motor, moved by gasoline, was built by Leon Levavasseur ( an "Antoinette"), V-shaped with 8 cylinders, four at each side.
Its initial power was 24 HP operating in 1000 rpm . The front steering wheel was built with Japanese silk and moved in every direction. It measured 2m
lenght and 3m widht and1,50m height.

The French called it "oiseau de proie" or, at times, "canard" ,because it looked like a duck. The English referred to it as a "bird of prey"
There were various postings about SD's "Demoiselle" ( "Damsel -fly") distributed last year by our former ED, Don Barton Johnson
Jansy Mello
[Anexos: 14 BIS.jpg]

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