Biplane

Reproduction of a Sopwith Camel biplane flown by Lt. George A. Vaughn Jr., 17th Aero Squadron

A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft that has two fixed wings.[1] The lower wing is often attached to the body of the aircraft and the top wing is raised above. Most early airplanes were biplanes because they have a stronger structure than a monoplane. When engineers found how to makes strong monoplanes, biplanes became rare because they produce more drag.

Famous biplanes include the Polikarpov Po-2, Sopwith Camel, Avro Tutor, Antonov An-2, Beechcraft Staggerwing, Boeing Stearman, Bristol Bulldog, Curtiss JN-4, de Havilland Tiger Moth, Fairey Swordfish, Hawker Hart, Pitts Special and the Wright Flyer. The Stearman is particularly associated with stunt flying with wing-walkers.

Biplane Media

References

  1. Loening, Grover (1911). Monoplanes and Biplanes, Their Design, Construction and Operation. Munn, Incorporated.