The fifth aircraft produced by Humber was a British version of a biplane designed by Frenchman Roger Sommer, and derived essentially from the Farman III of 1909.
Two Roger Sommer biplanes were completed towards the end of 1910. One of the latter carried the first official air mail in India. This event was part of the Universal Postal Exhibition held in Allahabad in India during February 1911. During the exposition, the French pilot Henri Pecquet, on February 18, flew across the Jumna river from Allahabad to Naini Junction, in all some 8km / 5 mi with 6500 letters. Four days later, a ‘regular’ service for the duration of the exhibition was opened by Pecquet and Captain Walter G Windham, the aircraft that they used again being the Humber-Sommer biplane.
Engine: Humber 4-cyl, 50 hp
Wingspan: 13.92 m / 45 ft 8 in
Wing area: 47 sq.m / 505 sq.ft
Length: 12.19 m / 40 ft
Payload: 91 kg / 200 lb
Max speed: 56 kph / 35 mph
Seats: 2
All Aero 