Breguet-Richet Gyroplane
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| Gyroplane No.I and No.II | |
|---|---|
| Type | Rotary-wing test vehicle |
| Manufacturer | Breguet |
| Maiden flight | 1907 |
| Number built | 2 |
The Breguet-Richet Gyroplane was an early French experimental rotary-wing aircraft developed by Breguet.
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[edit] Design and development
The Gyroplane No.I was one of the earliest attempts to create a practical rotary-wing aircraft, developed by the Breguet brothers with help from Professor Charles Richet. The aircraft was an uncovered open framework structure with a seat for the pilot and a powerplant. Radiating from the central structure were four tubular steel wire-braced arms. At the end of each arm, smaller intersecting tubular frames were pivoted and able to rotate when driven by the engine. Each of these rotors carried two fabric-covered lifting surfaces at the end of each arm. Each arm provided eight lifting surfaces, a total of 32. To eliminate the torque effect two rotors were driven clockwise and two counter-clockwise.
[edit] Operational service
During August or September (probably September 19) 1907 Gyroplane No.I was flown for the first time albeit only to an elevation of half a metre. It was not a free flight as four men were used to steady the structure. It was not controllable nor steerable, but it was the first time a rotary-wing device had lifted itself and a pilot into the air. It later flew up to 1.52m (5 ft) above the ground. The design was improved and Gyroplane No.II appeared the following year. No.II had two two-blade rotors of 7.85m (25.75 ft) diameter and also had fixed wings. Powered by a 55hp (41kw) Renault engine it was reported to have flown successfully more than once during 1908. No.II was damaged in a heavy landing and was rebuilt as the No.IIbis. It flew at least once in April 1909 before being destroyed when the company's works were badly damaged in a severe storm.
[edit] Specifications (No.I)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Main rotor diameter: 4× 8 m (26 ft 3 in)
- Height: 3.7 m (12 ft 1¾ in)
- Wing area: 14.7 m² (158.23 ft²)
- Main rotor area: 26 m² (279.87 ft²)
- Empty weight: 500 kg (1,102 lb)
- Gross weight: 578 kg (1,274 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Antoinette piston engine, 30/34 kW (40/45 hp)
Performance
[edit] References
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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