Summary
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]
| Besson H-5 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Besson H-5 circa 1922 | |
| Role | Transport flying-boat |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Marcel Besson |
| First flight | 1922 |
| Number built | 1 |
Development edit
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 edit
Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft,[1] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1924[3]
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: 255 m2 (2,740 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 5,500 kg (12,125 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 10,000 kg (22,046 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 1,800 L (480 US gal; 400 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 4 × Salmson 9Z water-cooled radial piston engine, 190 kW (260 hp) each
- Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch tractor and pusher propellers
Performance
- Maximum speed: 168 km/h (104 mph, 91 kn)
- Range: 900 km (560 mi, 490 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 3,500 m (11,500 ft)
See also edit
Related lists
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. p. 655.
- ^ a b "The Marcel Besson H-5 Quadruplane Flying Boat". Flight. 15 February 1923. p. 89.
- ^ Grey, C.G., ed. (1924). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1924. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. p. 93b.