Deperdussin GB

This historic aircraft was advanced for its time. Its streamlined, monocoque fuselage influenced the design of modern day aircraft. It was only one decade before this airplane was built that the Wright Brothers flew at Kitty Hawk. In 1913 it achieved the top speed of 126.7 MPH, winning the prized Gordon Bennett Trophy. The original Deperdussin featured a twin row, 14 cylinder, 160 horsepower Gnome rotary engine; this replica, built in France by Jean Salis, has a modern 160 horsepower Lycoming engine. The original had a different wing design and used wing warping for roll control, while the replica uses ailerons.