Good points, John.

Thanks Rob, that was the control system I’d concluded from looking at the Cynet photos.

Taking another look at the original Farman image, it’s pretty clear the aircraft it about to be started, looks like a race or competition with the line on the ground. The prop is horizontal, with a man about to hand start it. There’s a man braced to hold the tail back, and one on each side ready (one braced, one not) to hold the lower booms steady.

Regards,