Breguet-Richet Gyroplane

Gyroplane No.I and No.II

Picture - Breguet-Richet Gyroplane No.1, 1907.

Role: Rotary-wing test vehicle
Manufacturer: Breguet
Designed by: Louis Breguet
First flight: 29 September 1907
Number built: 2

The Breguet-Richet Gyroplane was an early French experimental rotary-wing aircraft developed by Breguet.

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, for a total of 32. To eliminate the torque effect, two rotors were driven clockwise and two counter-clockwise.

Operational service

On 29 September 1907, Gyroplane No.I was flown for the first time, albeit to an elevation of only 0.6 metres (2.0 ft). It was not a free flight, as four men were used to steady the structure. It was neither 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 1.52 m (4.99 ft) above the ground. The design was improved and Gyroplane No.II appeared the following year. No.II had two two-blade rotors of 7.85 m (25.75 ft) diameter and also had fixed wings. Powered by a 41 kW (55 hp) Renault engine, it was reported to have flown successfully more than once in 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.

Specifications (No.I)

General characteristics

Crew: 1, pilot
Main rotor diameter: 4x— 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 x— Antoinette piston engine, 30/34 kW (40/45 hp) each

Performance 1 min

Service ceiling: 0.6 m (2 ft)

Comparable aircraft

Cornu helicopter
de Bothezat helicopter

Bibliography

Young, Warren R. The Helicopters. "The Epic of Flight". Chicago: Time-Life Books, 1982. ISBN 0-8094-3350-8.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.

Breguet-Richet Gyroplane Pictures and Breguet-Richet Gyroplane for Sale.

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Source: WikiPedia