Johns Multiplane
# Johns Multiplane

The Johns Multiplane was a very large unsuccessful experimental aircraft having seven wings and six ailerons, powered by three Liberty L-12 V-12 aircraft engines. The machine had the appearance of a biplane spliced onto the front of a triplane with two wings added at the rear. The center fuselage housed the cockpit and one engine in tractor configuration. Both side booms ended with wing-mounted engines in pusher configuration. The aileron control force was found to be extremely high.

## Design and development

Designed by Herbert Johns of the American Multiplane Company in Bath, New York, Patent # 1,365,995 Flying Machine was granted to Charles A. Herrmann, also of the American Multiplane Company on Oct. 3, 1916.

## Operational history

The massive septi-wing made a series of short hops during testing, but was eventually scrapped in 1920 due to its inability to maintain controlled flight.

## Specifications

General characteristics

* Crew: three
* Length: 55 ft 9 in (17 m)
* Wingspan: 106 ft 4 in (32.4 m)
* Powerplant: 3 × Liberty L-12 water-cooled 45° V-12 piston engine, 400 hp (300 kW) each

Performance

