A Dutch Engineer in Canada
In the early 1910s, Dutch engineer Gustave Pollien, who had worked in the workshops of Caudron and Farman, moved to Canada. In 1912, Pollien, along with P. H. Reid, designed and built the first Pollien Biplane, which took to the air on September 26, 1912. This two-seater, two-bay biplane was powered by a 55 hp five-cylinder Viale air-cooled engine, driving a two-bladed propeller.
Founding Canadian Aircraft Works
In 1914, Pollien relocated to South Montreal and established his own company, Canadian Aircraft Works (CAW). Within the workshops of this new company, two additional biplanes were constructed. These included a single-seater and another two-seater model, expanding the company’s design and production capabilities.
New Biplane Models
The single-seater aircraft from CAW was equipped with a 50 hp Gnome radial engine, providing solid performance for its era. The second biplane, a two-seater model, featured a more powerful 60 hp Gnome Sigma engine. These developments showcased Pollien’s continued innovation in the nascent Canadian aviation industry.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | CAW biplane |
| Wingspan, m | 9.14 |
| Empty weight | 330 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Gnome |
| Power, hp | 1 x 50 |
| Service ceiling, m | 457 |
| Crew, crew members | 1 |
Image gallery of the Pollien Biplane
