Debort

   In Limoges, in 1908 - perhaps even earlier - Serge and Jack Debort built at least 2 unmanned gliders, a monoplane and a biplane, both covered with paper. Their third glider, built in 1908/1909, was bigger and covered with fabric; towed by a car, it was probably manned.
   The Debort No 3 was a wide-winged monoplane with an uncovered rectangular fuselage, high forward-tilting triangular fin and rudder, triangular stabilizer and one-piece trapezoidal elevator. The trapezoidal wings were braced from a high V-pylon, and the tail supported by a pair of trailing skids.
   No 4 was a copy of the Demoiselle, with a large triangular fin and rounded rudder. The steerable tail wheel was connected to the rudder, and the 2 main wheels were fixed to an articulated axle, which was eventually broken. As on the Demoiselle, the wing-warping control was linked directly to the pilot's back. The machine was powered by a 20 hp Zedel water-cooled motorbike engine; it was tested on the Champ de Juillet on 10 July 1910, but was unable to fly until launched down a 15% ramp in September.