What did the phrase “headless pusher” mean?
“Headless” aeroplanes were versions without the previously common front elevator device. Headless aeroplanes began to be used in 1911, when it was realized that the front elevators were actually impeding the aeroplanes and making them more difficult to operate. “Pusher” aeroplanes had their propeller or propellers behind the wings, thereby ‘pushing’ the aeroplanes forward. Aeroplanes with a propellers or propellers in front of the wings were known as “Tractor” aeroplanes, meaning they pulled the aeroplane through the air. “Headless pusher” aeroplanes were therefore ones with a pusher propeller or pusher propellers and without a front elevator. Curtiss Model D Headless biplanes and Wright Model B biplanes were examples of headless pushers.
