The final version of the 1910 Hydravion, which did fly, on l’Essor.

Fabre's Hydravion being flown by another pilot. The rudders have been moved from the canard plane to the undersurface of the main wing.

Herve, not Henri, Fabre, according to authoritative French sources, seen here standing beside the pusher propeller of his second design, the Canard, in which he made his first flight ever on 28 March 1910 and also the world's first successful flight of a powered seaplane. Fabre, on that occasion, flew from Martigues, near his home in Marseilles, but much of the Canard's subsequent flying was to be from Monaco. Born into a Marseilles shipping family in 1882, Fabre embarked upon his research into hydrodynamics and floats during 1907. By 1909. Fabre had completed his first aircraft, which resolutely refused to fly, a not uncommon occurence in those early days. Success and recognition came with the Canard in March 1910. After re-building and modifying Canard, Fabre built a wheel-equipped biplane that made little impact on the world of aviation and, from 1911 onwards, he turned to producing floats for other aircraft manufacturers.

The Mk II ready to fly. The wing fabric is fully extended and the new wooden propeller installed on its long shaft and faired with canvas. It would not fly.

The test rig to drive the Renault with the biplane propeller.

Towing trials of the Mk II version of 1909 with the triple Anzani powerplant but without the propeller. Note the short floats.

The end of the Hydravion, after hitting a rock whilst being flown by another pilot. The wing structure with the single surface sail tensioned on battens (ribs) shows well.