gnomeetrhone

"Jules Charles Toussaint Védrines (1881–1919) was an early French aviator, notable for being the first pilot to fly at more than 100 mph and for winning the Gordon Bennett Trophy race in 1912." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_V%C3%A9drines

B-59: Thanks for providing us with this aviator's full name. We will include it in our next update.

The aircraft is a Morane-Saulnier Type N. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morane-Saulnier_N

Eugène Gilbert flying a Morane-Saulnier N. I assume this is a postcard or something, since he was captured in June 1915.

This and the adjacent photo (see below) in the collection are of the same cutaway Gnome 9-cylinder rotary engine (proof stampings, wear marks and tool marks are identical in both photos). A view of the two photos at the largest resolution reveals a "Gnome Engine Company - 47 Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W." manufacturer's plate, and a serial of "Engine No. 30767". Presumably, this was a British license-built / British affiliate manufactured Gnome et Rhône 9-cylinder engine. Unfortunately, I haven't the knowledge to describe the variant of engine with any further specificity. Hopefully, another can use the engine's serial number and origin to provide more information. Unlike a radial engine, which featured a fixed cylinder block with rotating crankshaft, the rotary engine's crankshaft remains stationary and the entire cylinder block rotates. Before being cutaway for use in training, it is likely this engine was used on an aircraft (or a number of aircraft) until it was deemed unfit for further rebuild. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnome_et_Rh%C3%B4ne

Thanks again for the information! I have updated the description for both of the images.