[Rick Masters]

That's a bowsprit!

[JoeF]

Berlijn, Duitsland 1912. Foto: Overzicht van een toestel op de tentoonstellling, een motor van Luber-Aviation van 40 PK.
Creatorfotograaf: Fotograaf onbekend
Date of creation1912 Collection Photo collection illustrated magazine Het Leven (1906-1941) InstitutionSpaarnestad Photo
Source [SFA022811836], Het Leven, Spaarnestad Photo
Copyright For more information: Spaarnestad Photo Keyword• Berlijn
• Duitsland

It appears to me the bowsprit Is functioning only to hold the long front end of the Safe-Splat long skids
and not for anchoring any wing bracing.

1912BerlinZooExhibitionTRIANGLEandSafeSplatHolder.JPG (118.04 KiB) Viewed 7711 times

[Frank Colver]

I agree with Joe, that's just a support for the front of the skid frame. I don't see any cables to the wing structure.

Frank

[Rick Masters]

Yeah. At first glance I thought it was a single surface but I see now that it is shiny metal, no doubt with a structure of some kind within the wing.
Quite a fanciful design.

[JoeF]

A contestant for the Peugeot Prize in a 1912 contest focused on human-powered flying

1912TCFmpacontest.jpg (149.94 KiB) Viewed 7673 times

[ARP]

I agree with Joe, that's just a support for the front of the skid frame. I don't see any cables to the wing structure.

Frank

The shaft from the engine drives a chain up to the keel where a pusher prop is located. I wonder if the "keel" is extended to provide a drive to a puller prop (not fitted) at the front of the "bow sprit" ?

[JoeF]

Thanks much to ARP (Tony Prentice) for reminding of a photo that had been seen years ago, but needs attention at several dimensions.
The photo reminds me of the PhotoFly arranged by Self-Soar Association which we have recently discussed in USHawks forum. I can feel the 1908-or-1909scene. The photo filename has "1909" in it, but the precise date of the event and photo is something someone might find; all are welcome to unfold the photo.

But of special interest is the hang glider to the right side of the photo; the hang glider seems to be a high aspect ratio hang glider featuring the triangle control frame and kingpost that has been mentioned regarding W. Simon of Breslau in 1908 where W. Simon protected the design of his hang glider by some legal papers. But the hang glider and pilot of the presently featured photo does not seem to be W. Simon; all are welcome to uncover the identity of the pilot and the precise details about the hang glider.

I present the full photo with its caption
Der Frankfurter Flugtechnische Verein bei der Arbeit.
which Google translates to : "The Frankfurt aeronautical association at work."


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Clip:

The attachment 1908PhotoFlyTCFinHighARhangglider.JPG is no longer available

Added ink on enlarged detail of clip:

1908PhotoFlyTCFinHighARhangglider.JPG (17.49 KiB) Viewed 7572 times

[JoeF]

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In some contrast in 1909, see powered ultralight by Hans Grade and his use of the TCF, seat, and some aerodynamic controls.

1909HansGradePoweredTCF.JPG (17.48 KiB) Viewed 7570 times

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Logo of the periodical holding the photo of the above post's photo under study:
OSKAR URSINUS

OskarUrsinusFlugsportSTARTED1908.JPG (38.1 KiB) Viewed 7570 times

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Another high contrast version of the photo under study is found at
HERE
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clip from first page of first issue of Flugsport published by Oskar Ursinus:

FlugsportNr1Clip.JPG (68.62 KiB) Viewed 7569 times

[Bob Kuczewski]

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In some contrast in 1909, see powered ultralight by Hans Grade and his use of the TCF, seat, and some aerodynamic controls.

file-3.jpeg (17.48 KiB) Viewed 7563 times

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That certainly looks like it has all the major features of a modern hang glider.

But I sure wouldn't want to be flying that thing with long legs!!

[JoeF]

https://archive.org/details/FlugsportNr1Clip
archiving evidence that the cable-stayed triangle control frame and kingpost were part of sport hang gliding in the first decade of 1900s.