Otto Lilienthal - Kleiner Doppeldecker (replica)

Following a successful series of glides with his monoplanes, in c1885, Lilienthal built the first of two-man-carrying biplane gliders – the first in the history of flight.

The biplane’s basic design closely follows that of the ‘Normal Apparatus’ monoplane, and with the added wing and lesser span it weighs just 5kg more. The original is stated to have been able to fly in wind speeds of up to 10m/sec (22mph) and in a strong wind Lilienthal was able, on occasion, to soar straight off his artificial hill – often reaching heights above his take off level.

About this aircraft

This replica was built in Germany between 2007 and 2012 by Carsten Brinkmeier as a gift to the Shuttleworth Collection. The materials used are similar to those used by Lilienthal in the original glider. The wing ribs and ‘fuselage’ are made from willow, the spars are bamboo and pinewood was used to make the centre man carrying frame (referred to by Carsten Brinkmeier as the ‘holm cross’).

Specification