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{{Short description|Single-seat French glider, 1948}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
| name=Breguet Br 900 Louisette
| name=Bréguet Br 900 Louisette
| image=
| image=
| caption=
| caption=
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
| type=Single seat competition [[sailplane]]
| type=Single seat competition [[sailplane]]
| national origin=[[France]]
| national origin=[[France]]
| manufacturer= Société des Ateliers d'Aviation Louis Breguet ([[Breguet Aviation]])
| manufacturer= Société des Ateliers d'Aviation Louis Bréguet ([[Bréguet Aviation]])
| designer=Georges Ricard
| designer=Georges Ricard
| first flight=17 June 1948
| first flight=17 June 1948
Line 24: Line 25:
|}
|}


The '''Breguet Br 900 Louisette''' was a short-span, single-seat competition [[sailplane]] built in [[France]] in the 1940s. It set some French gliding records but was unsuccessful at the international level. Only six production aircraft were built.
In [[France|French]] aeronautics, the '''Bréguet Br 900 Louisette''' was a short-span, single-seat competition [[sailplane]] built in the 1940s. It set some French gliding records but was unsuccessful at the international level. Only six production aircraft were built.


==Design and development==
==Design and development==


Despite its long history of aircraft design and production, Breguet Aviation had not built a glider before the 900. After [[World War II]] they found themselves with many craftsmen who had skills in building with wood, so light aviation and unpowered aircraft offered a market opportunity. George Ricard designed a wooden, single-seat, [[monoplane#Types|mid-wing]] [[cantilever]] monoplane which, though intended for competition, had the comparatively short span of 14.35&nbsp;m (47&nbsp;ft&nbsp;1&nbsp;in).<ref name=SimonsII/>
Despite its long history of aircraft design and production, Bréguet Aviation had not built a glider before the 900. After [[World War II]] they found themselves with many craftsmen who had skills in building with wood, so light aviation and unpowered aircraft offered a market opportunity. George Ricard designed a wooden, single-seat, [[monoplane#Types|mid-wing]] [[cantilever]] monoplane which, though intended for competition, had the comparatively short span of {{convert|14.35|m|ftin|abbr=on}}.<ref name=SimonsII/>


The wings of the Breguet 900 were straight-tapered, with squared off [[wing tip|tips]] with small tip [[wing fence|fences]]. They had marked [[dihedral (aircraft)|dihedral]]. Forward of the single box [[spar (aviation)|spar]]<ref name=rf/> the wing was [[plywood]] covered, with [[aircraft fabric covering|fabric]] aft. Narrow [[ailerons]] occupied the outer halves of the wing [[trailing edge]], with [[flap (aircraft)|flaps]] of the same [[chord (aircraft)|chord]] inboard. From the second prototype onwards the Breguet 900 had [[spoiler (aeronautics)|spoilers]] at about mid-chord just inboard of the ailerons. On the earliest aircraft these were of the [[Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug|DFS]] type but were later replaced by [[Schempp-Hirth]] [[parallel ruler]] action brakes.<ref name=SimonsII/>
The wings of the Bréguet 900 were straight-tapered, with squared off [[wing tip|tips]] with small tip [[wing fence|fences]]. They had marked [[dihedral (aircraft)|dihedral]]. Forward of the single box [[spar (aviation)|spar]]<ref name=rf/> the wing was [[plywood]] covered, with [[aircraft fabric covering|fabric]] aft. Narrow [[ailerons]] occupied the outer halves of the wing [[trailing edge]], with [[flap (aircraft)|flaps]] of the same [[chord (aircraft)|chord]] inboard. From the second prototype onwards the Bréguet 900 had [[spoiler (aeronautics)|spoilers]] at about mid-chord just inboard of the ailerons. On the earliest aircraft these were of the [[Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug|DFS]] type but were later replaced by [[Schempp-Hirth]] [[parallel ruler]] action brakes.<ref name=SimonsII/>


The [[fuselage]] of the Breguet 900 was plywood-covered and of oval cross-section, nearly circular aft of the wing and deepening markedly to accommodate the cockpit. The [[fin]] and [[rudder]] were also ply-covered, bearing fabric-covered control surfaces. The [[balanced rudder|horn balanced rudder]] was broad and reached between the [[elevator (aircraft)|elevators]] to the bottom of the fuselage. Some production aircraft had taller vertical surfaces than those of earlier 900s. The straight-tapered horizontal surfaces folded upwards for ease of transport. Early models used an angular, multi-piece [[canopy (aircraft)|canopy]], later supplanted by a smooth single piece [[Plexiglas]] one. The rear of the canopy joined the high upper fuselage line continuously. The Breguet 900 landed on a fixed [[Landing gear#Gliders|monowheel undercarriage]] with a protective ash noseskid ahead of it. Unusually, the tow-release involved two hooks, one on either side of the fuselage just under the wing [[leading edge]].<ref name=SimonsII/>
The [[fuselage]] of the Bréguet 900 was plywood-covered and of oval cross-section, nearly circular aft of the wing and deepening markedly to accommodate the cockpit. The [[fin]] and [[rudder]] were also ply-covered, bearing fabric-covered control surfaces. The [[balanced rudder|horn balanced rudder]] was broad and reached between the [[elevator (aircraft)|elevators]] to the bottom of the fuselage. Some production aircraft had taller vertical surfaces than those of earlier 900s. The straight-tapered horizontal surfaces folded upwards for ease of transport. Early models used an angular, multi-piece [[canopy (aircraft)|canopy]], later supplanted by a smooth single piece [[Plexiglas]] one. The rear of the canopy joined the high upper fuselage line continuously. The Bréguet 900 landed on a fixed [[Landing gear#Gliders|monowheel undercarriage]] with a protective ash noseskid ahead of it. Unusually, the tow-release involved two hooks, one on either side of the fuselage just under the wing [[leading edge]].<ref name=SimonsII/>


The first prototype flew on 17 June 1948, the second in the following March.<ref name=SimonsII/><ref name=rf/>
The first prototype flew on 17 June 1948, the second in the following March.<ref name=SimonsII/><ref name=rf/>
Line 38: Line 39:
==Operational history==
==Operational history==


Soon after its first flight in March 1949 the second prototype, equipped with [[Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug|DFS]] [[Air brake (aircraft)|airbrakes]] and [[flap (aircraft)|flaps]] and flown by Paul Lepanse, set a new French distance record of 470&nbsp;km (292&nbsp;mi). This was later broken by Roger Biagi in the second production aircraft (900S-2) with a distance of 525&nbsp;km (326&nbsp;mi). 900S-4, piloted by Robert Delhoume, set a record speed around a 100&nbsp;km (62&nbsp;mi) triangle.<ref name=SimonsII/>
Soon after its first flight in March 1949 the second prototype, equipped with [[Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug|DFS]] [[Air brake (aircraft)|airbrakes]] and [[flap (aircraft)|flaps]] and flown by Paul Lepanse, set a new French distance record of {{convert|470|km|mi|abbr=on}}. This was later broken by Roger Biagi in the second production aircraft (900S-2) with a distance of {{convert|525|km|mi|abbr=on}}. 900S-4, piloted by Robert Delhoume, set a record speed around a {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on}} triangle.<ref name=SimonsII/>


The 900 competed in two [[World Gliding Championships]] without success: in 1950 the second prototype was wrecked after an airbrake failure and in 1952 900S-5 was placed 21st out of 39, limited by its short span.<ref name=SimonsII/>
The 900 competed in two [[World Gliding Championships]] without success: in 1950 the second prototype was wrecked after an airbrake failure and in 1952 900S-5 was placed 21st out of 39, limited by its short span.<ref name=SimonsII/>


One restored Breguet 900S, the first production machine, remained on the French civil register in 2010.<ref name=EuReg/>
One restored Bréguet 900S, the first production machine, remained on the French civil register in 2010.<ref name=EuReg/>


==Variants==
==Variants==
Line 55: Line 56:
General characteristics
General characteristics
-->
-->
⚫
|crew=1
|genhide=

⚫
|crew=
|capacity=one
|length m=6.50
|length m=6.50
|length note=
|span m=14.35
|span m=14.35
|height m=
|height m=
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|height note=
|height note=
|wing area sqm=12.9
|wing area sqm=12.9
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=15.85
|aspect ratio=15.85
|airfoil=Breguet 14<ref name=rf/>
|airfoil=Bréguet 14<ref name=rf/>
|empty weight kg=211
|empty weight kg=211
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=306
|gross weight kg=306
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight lb=
Line 81: Line 75:
Performance
Performance
-->
-->
|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=180
|max speed note=<ref name=rf/>
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=40
|stall speed kmh=40
|stall speed note=with 30° flaps<ref name=rf/>
|stall speed note=with 30° flaps<ref name=rf/>
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed kmh=180
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed kts=
|minimum control speed note=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|glide ratio=best 27:1 at 78 km/h; 42 kn (48 mph)<ref name=rf/>
|glide ratio=best 27:1 at {{cvt|78|km/h|mph kn}}<ref name=rf/>
|sink rate ms=0.75
|sink rate ms=0.75
|sink rate note=minimum at73 km/h; 39 kn (45 mph)<ref name=rf/>
|sink rate note=minimum at {{cvt|73|km/h|mph kn}}<ref name=rf/>
|lift to drag=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=23.8
|wing loading kg/m2=23.8
|wing loading note=
|more performance=
|more performance=
}}
}}

<!-- ==See also== -->
{{aircontent
<!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. -->
|see also=
|related=<!-- related developments -->
|similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft -->
|lists=<!-- related lists -->
}}

<!--==Notes==-->


==References==
==References==
{{commons category|Breguet aircraft}}
{{reflist|refs=
{{reflist|refs=


<ref name=EuReg>{{cite book |title=European registers handbook 2010 |last= Partington |first=Dave |coauthors= |edition= |year=2010|publisher= Air Britain (Historians) Ltd|location= |isbn=978-0-85130-425-0|page=247}}</ref>
<ref name=EuReg>{{cite book |title=European registers handbook 2010 |last= Partington |first=Dave |year=2010|publisher= Air Britain (Historians) Ltd|isbn=978-0-85130-425-0|page=247}}</ref>


<ref name=SimonsII>{{cite book |title=Sailplanes 1945-1965 |last=Simons |first=Martin |edition=2nd revised |year=2006|publisher= EQIP Werbung & Verlag GmbH|location=Königswinter |isbn=3 9807977 4 0|pages=59–61}}</ref>
<ref name=SimonsII>{{cite book |title=Sailplanes 1945-1965 |url=https://archive.org/details/sailplanes00simo |url-access=limited |last=Simons |first=Martin |edition=2nd revised |year=2006|publisher= EQIP Werbung & Verlag GmbH|location=Königswinter |isbn=3 9807977 4 0|pages=[https://archive.org/details/sailplanes00simo/page/n61 59]–61}}</ref>


<ref name=rf>{{cite web|url=http://richard.ferriere.free.fr/br900/breguet_900.html|title=Breguet Br-900|accessdate=14 April 2012}}</ref>
<ref name=rf>{{cite web|url=http://richard.ferriere.free.fr/br900/breguet_900.html|title=Bréguet Br-900|access-date=14 April 2012}}</ref>
}}
}}
<!-- ==Further reading== -->
<!-- ==External links== -->
<!-- Navboxes go here -->


==Bibliography==
⚫
{{Breguet aircraft}}
*{{cite book |last1=Cuny |first1=Jean |last2=Leyvastre |first2=Pierre |title=Les Avions Breguet (1940/1971)|date=1977 |publisher=Editions Larivière|location=Paris |language=fr |series=DOCAVIA |volume=6|name-list-style=amp|oclc=440863702}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Narbonne|first1=Roland de|title=Mai 1948, dans l'aéronautique française: Le planeur de performance|journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation |date=May 2008 |issue=462 |pages=76–77 |issn=0757-4169 |language=fr|trans-title=May 1948 in French Aeronautics: The Performance Glider}}

⚫
{{Bréguet aircraft}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Breguet Br 900 Louisette}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bréguet 900 Louisette}}
[[Category:French sailplanes 1950–1959]]
[[Category:1950s French sailplanes]]
[[Category:Breguet aircraft|900 Loisette]]
[[Category:Breguet aircraft| 0900]]
[[Category:Glider aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1948]]
[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]

Latest revision as of 19:31, 1 January 2025

Bréguet Br 900 Louisette
Role Single seat competition sailplane
National origin France
Manufacturer Société des Ateliers d'Aviation Louis Bréguet (Bréguet Aviation)
Designer Georges Ricard
First flight 17 June 1948
Number built 8

In French aeronautics, the Bréguet Br 900 Louisette was a short-span, single-seat competition sailplane built in the 1940s. It set some French gliding records but was unsuccessful at the international level. Only six production aircraft were built.

Design and development

[edit]

Despite its long history of aircraft design and production, Bréguet Aviation had not built a glider before the 900. After World War II they found themselves with many craftsmen who had skills in building with wood, so light aviation and unpowered aircraft offered a market opportunity. George Ricard designed a wooden, single-seat, mid-wing cantilever monoplane which, though intended for competition, had the comparatively short span of 14.35 m (47 ft 1 in).[1]

The wings of the Bréguet 900 were straight-tapered, with squared off tips with small tip fences. They had marked dihedral. Forward of the single box spar[2] the wing was plywood covered, with fabric aft. Narrow ailerons occupied the outer halves of the wing trailing edge, with flaps of the same chord inboard. From the second prototype onwards the Bréguet 900 had spoilers at about mid-chord just inboard of the ailerons. On the earliest aircraft these were of the DFS type but were later replaced by Schempp-Hirth parallel ruler action brakes.[1]

The fuselage of the Bréguet 900 was plywood-covered and of oval cross-section, nearly circular aft of the wing and deepening markedly to accommodate the cockpit. The fin and rudder were also ply-covered, bearing fabric-covered control surfaces. The horn balanced rudder was broad and reached between the elevators to the bottom of the fuselage. Some production aircraft had taller vertical surfaces than those of earlier 900s. The straight-tapered horizontal surfaces folded upwards for ease of transport. Early models used an angular, multi-piece canopy, later supplanted by a smooth single piece Plexiglas one. The rear of the canopy joined the high upper fuselage line continuously. The Bréguet 900 landed on a fixed monowheel undercarriage with a protective ash noseskid ahead of it. Unusually, the tow-release involved two hooks, one on either side of the fuselage just under the wing leading edge.[1]

The first prototype flew on 17 June 1948, the second in the following March.[1][2]

Operational history

[edit]

Soon after its first flight in March 1949 the second prototype, equipped with DFS airbrakes and flaps and flown by Paul Lepanse, set a new French distance record of 470 km (290 mi). This was later broken by Roger Biagi in the second production aircraft (900S-2) with a distance of 525 km (326 mi). 900S-4, piloted by Robert Delhoume, set a record speed around a 100 km (62 mi) triangle.[1]

The 900 competed in two World Gliding Championships without success: in 1950 the second prototype was wrecked after an airbrake failure and in 1952 900S-5 was placed 21st out of 39, limited by its short span.[1]

One restored Bréguet 900S, the first production machine, remained on the French civil register in 2010.[3]

Variants

[edit]
900
Two prototypes. 1st had spoilers and no flaps, 2nd DFS airbrakes and flaps.
900S
Six production aircraft, all slightly different: Schempp-Hirth airbrakes, a single piece canopy and a taller fin introduced piecemeal.

Specifications

[edit]

Data from Sailplanes 1945-1965[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 6.50 m (21 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 14.35 m (47 ft 1 in)
  • Wing area: 12.9 m2 (139 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 15.85
  • Airfoil: Bréguet 14[2]
  • Empty weight: 211 kg (465 lb)
  • Gross weight: 306 kg (675 lb)

Performance

  • Stall speed: 40 km/h (25 mph, 22 kn) with 30° flaps[2]
  • Never exceed speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: best 27:1 at 78 km/h (48 mph; 42 kn)[2]
  • Rate of sink: 0.75 m/s (148 ft/min) minimum at 73 km/h (45 mph; 39 kn)[2]
  • Wing loading: 23.8 kg/m2 (4.9 lb/sq ft)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Simons, Martin (2006). Sailplanes 1945-1965 (2nd revised ed.). Königswinter: EQIP Werbung & Verlag GmbH. pp. 59–61. ISBN 3 9807977 4 0.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Bréguet Br-900". Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  3. ^ Partington, Dave (2010). European registers handbook 2010. Air Britain (Historians) Ltd. p. 247. ISBN 978-0-85130-425-0.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Cuny, Jean & Leyvastre, Pierre (1977). Les Avions Breguet (1940/1971). DOCAVIA (in French). Vol. 6. Paris: Editions Larivière. OCLC 440863702.
  • Narbonne, Roland de (May 2008). "Mai 1948, dans l'aéronautique française: Le planeur de performance" [May 1948 in French Aeronautics: The Performance Glider]. Le Fana de l'Aviation (in French) (462): 76–77. ISSN 0757-4169.
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