Katydid
The next machine, Chanute’s design of a soaring machine, was the Katydid , a multi-plane glider. It was re-rigged six times; each new experiment preceded by releasing bits of feather-down in front of the machine and watching the path of air currents sweeping past the wings. The most successful wing variation used five sets of wings in the front and one as tail.
Chanute showing off the multi-plane soaring machine “Katydid"
Courtesy of the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute. Negative 1A-20406 A49477L
Three-quarter left front view, note that each wing is marked, so that proper records can be made after each new experiment. Photo taken early in September 1896 near Dune Park.
