A V Roe's triplane, 1909

9 H.P. Roe Triplane of 1909. Alliot Verdon Roe (1877-1958) was the first Briton to fly an all British aeroplane, the Roe I, on 13 July 1909 at Lea Marshes, Essex. The aeroplane was constructed from wood and paper, and was powered by a 9 hp JAP engine. It managed to fly 100 feet (30 metres). Roe went on to create Avro, one of the world's greatest aeroplane manufacturing companies. Rear view.