Bernard 260

Last updated
Bernard 260 C1
RoleSingle seat fighter
National origin France
Manufacturer Société des Avions Bernard (S.A.B.)
DesignerSigismond-Georges Bruner
First flightSeptember 1932
Number built2 (1 flown)

The Bernard 260 C1 was a French all-metal, single-engine, low-wing monoplane with an open cockpit and fixed undercarriage, designed to a government single-seat fighter specification issued in 1930. After extensive comparative tests the Dewoitine D.500 was ordered in preference, though the performances of the two aircraft were similar.

Contents

Design and development

The Bernard 260 C1 (C for Chasse or fighter, 1 stating single seat) was the last of a long line of Bernard fighters to fly. It was built, along with about nine different designs from other manufacturers, to a 1930 government C1 specification calling for a maximum speeds of 325 km/h (202 mph) at 3,500 m (11,500 ft) and 300 km/h (190 mph) at 6,000 m (20,000 ft). Landing speeds had to be less than 100 km/h (62 mph). In 1931 it further specified an increased specific static strength and raised all speeds by 25 km/h (16 mph) if a supercharger was fitted. A final amendment, made in 1932, was that supercharging was obligatory and that the fighter should be armed with four machine guns or two cannon or one cannon with two machine guns. [1]

The 260 was the most advanced aircraft of the group of prototypes, equipped with almost full-span Handley Page slots as well as flaps on its low cantilever wing. The wing plan was straight edge and square tipped, with most of the taper on the trailing edge, its whole span occupied by ailerons and flaps which could be lowered together. The wing had a duralumin structure with a riveted metal skin. The tail surfaces had swept, almost straight leading edges, rounded tips and unswept trailing edges on the unbalanced control surfaces. The fuselage was built from two metal half-ovals joined vertically, with a riveted skin. The open cockpit was placed at the wing trailing edge, the fuselage tapering behind it. Each wheel of the 260's fixed, tailwheel undercarriage was mounted on a vertical, faired main leg, with a second strut behind forming a V and a third inboard to the fuselage underside. At the time of the first flight the wheels were enclosed in fairings but these had been removed by October 1932. Two cannons were fitted to the wing undersides, firing outside the propeller arc. [1]

The Bernard 260 was powered by a 515 kW (691 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Xbrs liquid cooled upright V-12 engine. Several different radiator arrangements were tried. For the first flight, made by Roger Baptiste in September 1932, a boxed chin radiator was used but was soon replaced by a pair of vertical units attached to the undercarriage legs. By November these had been replaced with a curved, open radiator under the engine, followed by yet another unsatisfactory system in January 1933. In March a retractable Villard-Ferlay radiator was fitted; this was used in the competitive tests. [1]

In March 1933 the 260 was fitted with a sliding glass canopy, but the military feared the rear view would be lost and it was quickly removed. The height of the fin was increased to improve stall recovery. In June the slats were modified to open automatically. After losing its propeller in flight in July the 260, which landed safely, was significantly modified. The span was reduced by 1.25 m (4 ft 1 in) and a final radiator change was made. This involved an almost circular unit in front of the engine, with the propeller shaft emerging through it, above the centre. As a result, the profile of the nose was considerably altered, appearing less streamlined. At about the same time, the 260 regained its wheel fairings. It first flew in this form on 4 October 1933. [1]

The Bernard 260 flew for more than 100 hours and made several hundred takeoffs and landings at the military test centre at Villacoublay but, in the end, no contract was awarded. Instead, the Dewoitine D.500 was put into production. Bernard were told that the reasons they failed were the difficulties encountered with the cooling system, the weight penalty of the slots and the difficulty of deploying them in manoeuvres and the lower rate of climb, the 260 taking about 10% longer to reach 3,000 m (9,800 ft) than the Dewoitine. They were also concerned by the "chaotic" state of Bernard's management structure. Which of the two aircraft was faster in level flight depended on altitude; the Bernard was faster at height down to less than 5,000 m (16,000 ft), for example by 9 km/h (5.6 mph) at 6,500 m (21,300 ft), but at sea level the Dewoitine was quicker by 6 km/h (3.7 mph). The Bernard could take off in 140 m (460 ft) and land in 180 m (590 ft). [1]

The end of the 260 programme also finished two proposed developments: the 261, which would have had the more powerful, 642 kW (861 hp), Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs and a retractable undercarriage and the 262, a carrier-borne fighter with arrestor hook etc. Only the 261 reached the construction stage. [1]

Variants

260
Only variant built and flown.
261
Powered by 642 kW (861 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs. Retractable undercarriage. Built, or at least begun, but not flown.
262
Proposed carrier-borne variant, not built.

Specifications (Bernard 260)

Data from [1]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament


Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dewoitine D.500</span> 1932 French fighter aircraft

The Dewoitine D.500 was an all-metal, open-cockpit, fixed-undercarriage monoplane fighter aircraft designed and produced by French aircraft manufacturer Dewoitine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blériot-SPAD S.510</span> Type of aircraft

The Blériot SPAD S.510 was a French single-seat, single-engined biplane fighter aircraft. First flying in 1933, 60 were built for the Armée de l'Air, entering service in 1936. The type remained in service as a fighter-trainer at the start of the Second World War. It was the last French biplane fighter to enter production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gourdou-Leseurre GL.30</span> Type of aircraft

The Gourdou-Leseurre GL.30 was a racing aircraft built in France in 1920 which formed the basis for a highly successful family of fighter aircraft based on the same design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potez 39</span> Type of aircraft

The Potez 39 was a French two-seat single-engined parasol wing monoplane reconnaissance and observation aircraft of the 1930s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SNCAO 200</span> Type of aircraft

The SNCAO 200, sometimes written CAO.200, was a prototype French single seat fighter aircraft of the 1930s. It was a single engined monoplane intended to compete with the Dewoitine D.520, but was unsuccessful, only a single example being built.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nieuport-Delage NiD-120</span> Type of aircraft

The Nieuport-Delage NiD 120 series was a series of French single-seat parasol monoplane fighter aircraft of the 1930s. It was built in a number of versions, fitted with various types of engines, with six aircraft designated NiD 123 being sold to Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernard 82</span> French long-range bomber prototype

The Bernard 82 was a French single-engined long-range monoplane bomber designed and built by Société des Avions Bernard. Only two prototypes were built and the type did not enter production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ANF Les Mureaux 170</span> 1932 fighter aircraft by ANF Les Mureaux

The ANF Les Mureaux 170 was a prototype French fighter aircraft of the 1930s. It was a single-engined, single-seat parasol monoplane, but only two were built, the type being rejected for service by the French Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loire 250</span> French 1935 prototype fighter plane

The Loire 250 was a French single-seat fighter monoplane designed and built by Loire Aviation of St. Nazaire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernard SIMB V.2</span> Type of aircraft

The Bernard SIMB V.2 was a single-seat, single-engine French monoplane, built in the mid-1920s. It was originally designed for racing but was adapted for a successful attempt on the world absolute speed record.

The Bernard SIMB AB 10 was a French single-engine, single-seat, highly streamlined, cantilever, all-metal low-wing monoplane of advanced design. It first flew in 1924 but was not ordered into production.

The Bernard 80 GR was one of three types built by different French constructors in response to a government call for an aircraft capable of setting new long-distance records. A single engine monoplane with a crew of two, the 80 GR set an absolute record for flight over a closed circuit in April 1931, covering 8,960 km (5,569 mi). Modifications led to a new designation as the Bernard 81 GR but no more records were set despite several attempts.

The Bernard H 110 was a single engine, single seat monoplane floatplane fighter designed for a French Navy competition. It flew in 1935 but had only made four test flights when the Bernard company was declared bankrupt, preventing further development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loire-Nieuport 161</span> Monoplane fighter

The Loire-Nieuport 161 was a single-seat, single-engine, all-metal, low-wing monoplane fighter designed and built in France in 1935 to compete for a government contract. Accidents delayed its development and only three prototypes were completed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wibault 8 Simoun</span> Type of aircraft

The Wibault 8 or Wib 8 Simoun (Simoon) was a tandem seat, parasol wing fighter aircraft designed and built in France to a 1925 specification which was later withdrawn; only one Wib 8 was completed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wibault 170 Tornade</span> Type of aircraft

The Wibault 13C.1 Trombe (Whirlwind), later known as the Wib 130C.1 Trombe was a single seat, parasol wing lightweight fighter aircraft designed and built in France in the 1920s. It was developed into the more powerful Wib 170C.1 Tornade (Tornado) but government interest in lightweight fighters soon waned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanriot H.110</span> Type of aircraft

The Hanriot H.110 was an unusual pusher configuration, twin boom, single seat fighter aircraft built in France in the early 1930s. It proved to be slower and less manoeuvrable than its contemporaries and failed to reach production, even as the Hanriot H.115 after receiving a more powerful engine and cannon armament.

The Potez 230 was a French lightweight single-seat, single-engined fighter aircraft. One prototype was built and flew in 1940, but no production followed, with the prototype being captured and shipped to Germany for study.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blériot-SPAD S.91</span> Type of aircraft

The Blériot-SPAD S.91 was a French light-weight fighter aircraft. It would be later developed into the Blériot-SPAD S.510, the last biplane produced by the French aeronautic industries.

This aircraft, Messier's only aircraft and unnamed, was a one-off built to show the advantage of undercarriage retraction and the practicality of a bicycle wheel arrangement.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Liron, pp. 195–202, 225

Bibliography