Built for inventor Alexander Graham Bell to test his tetrahedral structure. Much simpler triplane configuration compared with the AEA Cygnet unsuccessfully tested in 1909. Attempted test flights with the Oionus on the day of the photo saw three wheels lift off but not all four. Melting ice ended any further attempts to fly it. Photo from: Ken Molson fonds - Ingenium

Design commissioned by Boston resident Gardiner Greene Hubbard II and built at Baddeck by Canadian Aerodrome Company. The Hubbard attended the 1910 Montreal Aviation Meet but its owner was unable to coax it into the air because it was underpowered. It was then shipped to Boston where it attended the Harvard-Boston Aero Meet. Again it did not fly. Photo from: Ken Molson fonds - Ingenium

Yes, this is a real aircraft and yes it did fly - eventually. But it required more power than in 1909 and even then it was only in ground effect as the Cygnet III. Soon after the March 1, 1912 hop the tetrahedral cell wing collapsed, ending the project. Baddeck was the centre of Canadian aviation development with famous inventor Alexander Graham Bell a local resident and keen proponent of aviation. The frozen lake provided a large, flat, low friction surface for test flights. Photo from: Ken Molson fonds - Ingenium