Besson H-5
| Besson H-5 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Besson H-5 circa 1922 | |
| Role | Transport flying-boat |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Marcel Besson |
| First flight | 1922 |
| Number built | 1 |
|
| |
The Besson H-5 (or sometimes Besson MB-11) was a French transport quadruplane flying boat designed by the Marcel Besson company of Boulogne.[1] The only H-5 was damaged and development was abandoned.[1]
Development
The HB.5 (MB-10) originally started development as an open-sea reconnaissance/bombing flying-boat, but it was completed as a 20-seat passenger transport flying-boat.[1] Described as grotesque it had two sets of staggered biplane wings with an unusual X-type bracing and a biplane tail with triple fins and rudders.[1] Powered by four Salmson 9Z radial engines that were located in tandem pairs in line with the third mainplane.[2] The H-5 had a conventional fuselage on a three-ply mahogany boat hull, which had 24 watertight compartments.[2]
The H-5 was tested from the St Raphael naval air station in 1922 and proved to be stable with little vibration.[1] After a few test flights the H-5 was accidentally damaged and development was abandoned.[1]
Specifications
Data from [1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 5
- Capacity: 20 passengers
- Length: 22.0 m (72 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 29.00 m (95 ft 2 in)
- Height: 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
- Wing area: 225 m2 (2,420 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 5,500 kg (12,125 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 10,000 kg (22,046 lb)
- Powerplant: 4 × Salmson 9Z water-cooled radial piston engine, 190 kW (260 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 168 km/h (104 mph; 91 kn)
- Range: 900 km (559 mi; 486 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 3,500 m (11,483 ft)
See also
- Related lists
References
Notes
Bibliography
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.