Nord Gerfaut

Gerfaut

National origin: France
Manufacturer: Nord Aviation
Designed by: Jean Galtier
First flight: 1954
Number built: 3

The Nord Gerfaut was a delta-wing experimental research aircraft, original designed and built by SFECMAS which was later merged into Nord Aviation.

Development

Designed as a research aircraft the Nord 1402A Gerfaut first flew on 15 January 1954, it was a single-seat single-engined monoplane with thin delta wings and swept vertical tail surfaces and a small high-set delta tailplane. The fuselage was a cylindrical monocoque structure with a nose intake and with the cockpit mounted above it, giving the aircraft its characteristic hump-backed look. It had a retractable tricycle landing gear and was originally powered by an internal 2800kg (6,173lb ) thrust SNECMA Atar 101C turbojet. On the 3 August 1954 it became the first aircraft in Europe to exceed Mach 1 in level flight without afterburners. The second aircraft was the Nord 1402B Gerfaut 1B which had a larger wings and an Atar 101D engine. The third aircraft, the Nord 1405 Gerfaut II, first flown in 1956 was similar but had a refined structure, a clipped delta wing and an Atar 101F engine. After it had finished test flying the third aircraft was used to test air intercept radars.

Variants

1402A Gerfaut Delta research aircraft with a 2800kg (6,173lb ) thrust SNECMA Atar 101C turbojet, one built. 1402B Gerfaut 1B Delta research aircraft with larger wing and a SNECMA Atar 101D turbojet, one built. 1405 Gerfaut II Delta research aircraft with refined structure, clipped wing and a SNECMA Atar 101F turbojet, one built.

Operator

France

Specifications (1402A)

Data from Flight 1956

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 10.98 m (36 ft 0 in)
Wingspan: 6.58 m (21 ft 7 in)
Height: 5.67 m (18 ft 0 in)
Empty weight: 3,900 kg (8,600 lb)
Gross weight: 4,750 kg (10,470 lb)
Powerplant: 1 x— SNECMA Atar 101 turbojet, 30 kN (6,173 lbf) thrust

Performance

Maximum speed: 1,586 km/h (989 mph)
Range: 201 km (125 miles)

Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
Flight THE GALTIER DELTA FAMILY April 1956

Nord Gerfaut Pictures and Nord Gerfaut for Sale.

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia