Caudron-Fabre

The Caudron‑Fabre was a pioneering French monoplanes built in the early 1910s by the Caudron brothers in partnership with engineer Ernest Fabre. Conceived as a lightweight trainer and sport aircraft, it first flew in 1910 and quickly demonstrated the potential of efficient, low‑power designs. The airframe employed a wooden lattice fuselage covered with fabric, and featured a shoulder‑wing configuration that gave excellent visibility and stability. Power was supplied by a modest 30‑horse‑power Anzani engine, driving a two‑bladed propeller; the simple, reliable powerplant made the aircraft affordable for flying clubs. Notable for its innovative control system, the Caudron‑Fabre used a combination of ailerons and a centrally mounted elevator that reduced pilot workload. Its success at early air meets, including a notable victory at the 1911 French Aero‑Club rally, helped cement Caudron’s reputation as a leading designer of light aircraft. The model also served as a testbed for aerodynamic experiments that informed later Caudron fighters of World War I, marking it as an important stepping stone in the evolution of French aviation. Only about fifty were built, but the Caudron‑Fabre’s clean lines inspired later trainers such as the G.3, extending its legacy.