Antoinette IV

Antoinette · France · first flew 1908 · light aircraft

The Antoinette IV was an elegant early monoplane designed by Léon Levavasseur and produced by the Antoinette company in France from 1908, representing one of the most refined aircraft of the pioneering era. It became famous through Hubert Latham's two unsuccessful attempts to fly the English Channel in 1909.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	11.5 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Pioneer Edwardian monoplane
V-8 Antoinette engine
Latham used it in failed English Channel crossing attempts

A slender monoplane with a narrow triangular fuselage, wide straight wings braced by internal cable spars, and an uncowled V-8 engine at the nose with prominent external cooling pipes.

Specifications

The Antoinette IV has a length of 11.5 m (38 ft).
It has a wingspan of 12.8 m (42 ft).
Its maximum speed is 100 km/h (62 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed alongside the Antoinette engine company, the type IV was among the most advanced aeroplanes available in 1908-1909, featuring a well-streamlined fuselage and a powerful V-8 engine. Latham twice ditched in the Channel attempting to beat Blériot, but the Antoinette IV set distance records and appeared at major air meetings across Europe.

Variants

Several Antoinette monoplane variants followed, including the larger Antoinette VII; the IV remains the most historically prominent model.

Where you'll see it

Used as a racing and competition aircraft at the major European aviation meetings of 1908-1910; not used in any military capacity.

Related aircraft

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