Bréguet 19

Last updated
Br.19
Breguet 19 A2.JPG
The Breguet Br.19A2 two-seat attack bomber
General information
Type Light bomber/reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer Breguet Aviation
Designer
Marcel Vuillerme
Statusretired
Primary user French Air Force
Number built~ 2,700
History
Manufactured1924-
First flightMarch 1922

The Breguet 19 (Breguet XIX, Br.19 or Bre.19) was a sesquiplane bomber and reconnaissance aircraft which was also used for long-distance flights and was designed by the French Breguet company and produced from 1924.

Contents

Development

Breguet XIX prototype. Photo from L'Aerophile December,1921 Breguet XIX prototype L'Aerophile December,1921.jpg
Breguet XIX prototype. Photo from L'Aerophile December,1921

The Breguet 19 was designed as a successor to a highly successful World War I Breguet 14 bomber. Initially, it was to be powered by a 340 kW (450 hp) Bugatti U-16 engine, driving a four-blade propeller, and a prototype was shown on the 7th Paris Air Show in November 1921 with this engine. [1] A revised design was flown in March 1922 with a single 340 kW (450 hp) Renault 12Kb inline engine. After trials, the Breguet 19 was ordered by the French Army 's Aéronautique Militaire in September 1923.

Mass production, both for the Aéronautique Militaire and export, began in France in 1924.

Design

The Breguet 19 was a sesquiplane in which the lower wing was substantially smaller than the upper wing, with a conventional layout and braced wings. The fuselage was ellipsoid in cross-section and built up from a frame of duralumin pipes. Breguet made extensive use of duralumin as a construction material which resulted in an unusually light structure for its size, instead of steel or wood. It was faster than other bombers, and even many fighter aircraft which resulted in widespread interest which was further increased by successful record flights. The forward fuselage was covered with duralumin sheets, while the tail, rear fuselage and wings were covered with linen. It had a conventional fixed landing gear with a tail skid. The crew of two, pilot and observer/bombardier, sat in tandem in open cockpits and were provided with dual controls.

A wide variety of engine types were fitted, mostly water-cooled V-12 or W-12 inline engines, including the following:

A fixed 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Vickers machine gun with an interrupter gear was operated by the pilot, while the observer had twin 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Lewis Guns on a gun ring. There was also a fourth machine gun, which could be fired by the observer downwards through an opening in the floor. The Br.19CN2 night fighter variant was fitted with two fixed forward-firing machine guns. [2] The bomber could carry up to 472 kg (1,041 lb) of bombs under the fuselage, or small bombs up to 50 kg (110 lb) vertically in an internal bomb bay. The reconnaissance variant could carry 12 x 10 kg (22 lb) bombs. The reconnaissance variant had a camera mounting, which was optional on the bomber variant. All variants were equipped radio.

Operational history

The Breguet 19 had its baptism of fire in the Spanish Civil War where it was the mainstay of the Spanish Republican Air Force's (the Government's) bomber fleet.

Greece

In the Greco-Italian War which took place during World War II, 18 Breguets were operational at the outbreak of war, with 1 Observation (or Army Cooperation) Mira, under I Corp Command, based at Perigiali, near Corinth and with 2 Observation Mira under II Corps command, based at Larissa and Kozani. [3] On 4 November 1940, a Royal Hellenic Air Force Breguet from 2 Mira was sent looking for the attacking 3rd Julia Alpine Division, locating it in a mountain pass near Metsovo. Three more Breguets sent to bomb the Italian division were in turn attacked by three Fiat CR.42 fighters. A Breguet was shot down, one crash-landed and the third returned to base, badly damaged. [4]

Variants

Br.19.01
The first Breguet 19 prototype, which first flew in March 1922 which was later bought by the Spanish government. [2]
Breguet Bre.19 No.3, flown by French aviator Georges Pelletier d'Oisy, at RAF Hinaidi, India en route from Paris to Tokyo in 1924 Breguet 19 Hinaidi.jpg
Breguet Bre.19 No.3, flown by French aviator Georges Pelletier d'Oisy, at RAF Hinaidi, India en route from Paris to Tokyo in 1924
Br.19.02 to Br.19.02.011
Pre-production aircraft, whose fuselage was lengthened by 600 mm (24 in). Br.19.02 was evaluated by Yugoslavia in 1923. [2]
Breguet Bre.19 No.3 flown by French aviator Georges Pelletier d'Oisy crashed at Shanghai on 20 May 1924, during Pelletier d'Oisy's Paris to Tokyo flight, which was completed in Breguet Bre.14A2 No.2097 Pelletier-Doisy-1924.jpg
Breguet Bre.19 No.3 flown by French aviator Georges Pelletier d'Oisy crashed at Shanghai on 20 May 1924, during Pelletier d'Oisy's Paris to Tokyo flight, which was completed in Breguet Bre.14A2 No.2097
Br.19 A.2
Two-seat reconnaissance aircraft.
Br.19 B.2
Two-seat light bomber biplane. These first two variants were the most numerous, and were practically identical. They used a variety of engines, the most popular being the 300 kW (400 hp) Lorraine-Dietrich 12Db, the 340 kW (450 hp) Lorraine-Dietrich 12Eb, the Renault 12K, the Hispano-Suiza 12H and the Farman 12We. [2]
Br.19 CN.2
Night fighter version, almost identical to the B2 reconnaissance variant with two additional forward-firing machine guns. [2]
Br.19 GR
(Grand Raid) A variant specially modified for long-distance flights, after early long-range attempts were made with the regular Br.19 A2 no.23 fitted with additional fuel tanks. The first Br.19 GR (no.64) had a fuel tank of about 2,000 L (440 imp gal; 530 US gal) and captured the world distance record in 1925.
Br.19 GR 3000 litres
In 1926, three additional aircraft were modified to Br.19 GR 3000 litre specifications. They had larger fuel tanks fitted in the fuselage, with a total capacity between 2,900 and 3,000 L (640 and 660 imp gal; 770 and 790 US gal). The cockpit was moved slightly aft, and the wingspan was increased to 14.83 m (48.7 ft). The three aircraft were fitted with different engines: the first one had a 370 kW (500 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Hb, the others had 410 kW (550 hp) Renault 12K and 390 kW (520 hp) Farman 12Wers engines. In 1927, one aircraft received a new 450 kW (600 hp) Hispano 12Lb engine, its fuel capacity was extended to 3,500 L (770 imp gal; 920 US gal) and its wingspan was further increased by 1 m (3 ft 3 in). It was christened Nungesser et Coli after the two airmen who disappeared in a transatlantic flight attempt in May 1927. A fifth aircraft was built for Greece, called Hellas, with a 410 kW (550 hp) Hispano 12Hb. [2] (Other Br.19 aircraft may have received additional fuel tanks for long distance flights, but these were not officially called Br.19 GR. Some sources mention a Belgian Br.19 GR, maybe a confusion with the Belgian Br.19 TR.)
Jesus del Gran Poder in the Museo del Aire at Cuatro Vientos Air Base, Madrid, Spain Breguet XIX TR Bidon "Jesus del Gran Poder" (5381217697).jpg
Jesus del Gran Poder in the Museo del Aire at Cuatro Vientos Air Base, Madrid, Spain
Br.19 TR Bidon
Built in 1927 with various aerodynamic refinements and 3,735 L (822 imp gal; 987 US gal) of fuel in the fuselage. With an additional fuel tank in the wing, the total fuel capacity was 4,125 L (907 imp gal; 1,090 US gal). Five were built by Breguet and two by the Spanish company CASA. Three of the French aircraft had a 450 kW (600 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Lb, one had a 410 kW (550 hp) Renault 12K, and one had a 340 kW (450 hp) Lorraine 12Eb. The first Bidon Hispano was sold to Belgium, and the Bidon Renault was sold to China after a Paris–Beijing flight. The third Bidon Hispano became the French Br.19 TF. [2] The second Spanish Bidon was christened Jesús del Gran Poder, and flew from Sevilla to Bahia (Brazil). [5]
Point d'Interrogation at the Musee de l'Air et de l'Espace at le Bourget airport Breguet 19 Point D'interrogation (MAE).JPG
Point d'Interrogation at the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace at le Bourget airport
Br.19 TF Super Bidon
The last and most advanced long-distance variant, built in 1929, and designed for transatlantic flight. [6] The French Super Bidon was the third Br.19 TR Hispano, named Point d'Interrogation, with a modified fuselage, a wingspan of 18.3 m (60 ft), and 5,370 L (1,180 imp gal; 1,420 US gal) total fuel capacity. [7] It was powered by a 450 kW (600 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Lb engine, later replaced by a 480 kW (650 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12NLb. Another aircraft, with a closed canopy, was built in Spain in 1933. Christened Cuatro Vientos, it flew from Sevilla to Cuba, and disappeared while attempting to reach Mexico. [8]
A replica of the Cuatro Vientos in the Museo del Aire at Cuatro Vientos Air Base, Madrid, Spain Br19sb cuatrovientos.jpg
A replica of the Cuatro Vientos in the Museo del Aire at Cuatro Vientos Air Base, Madrid, Spain
Br.19 ter
Utilizing the experience with long-distance variants, this improved reconnaissance variant was developed in 1928, maybe for export purposes. It remained a prototype only (with civilian register F-AIXP). [2]
Br.19.7
The most popular of the late variants developed in 1930 with a 450 kW (600 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Nb engine, giving a maximum speed of 242 km/h (150 mph). The first five machines were converted in France for Yugoslavia, then a number were built in Yugoslavia, and a further 50 built in France for export to Turkey.
Br.19.8
With a 580 kW (780 hp) Wright GR-1820-F-56 Cyclone radial engine, 48 Br.19.7 airframes were eventually completed as Br.19.8's in Yugoslavia. Maximum speed was 279 km/h (173 mph).
Br.19.9
A single prototype developed in Yugoslavia with a 640 kW (860 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs engine.
Br.19.10
A single prototype developed in Yugoslavia with a 540 kW (720 hp) Lorraine-Dietrich 12Hfrs Petrel engine.
Br.19 hydro
(Breguet 19 seaplane) Fitted with twin floats as a seaplane, a single prototype (no.1132) was produced for France. Another aircraft sold to Japan was fitted with floats built there by Nakajima. [2]
Nakajima-Breguet Reconnaissance Seaplane
Nakajima built Breguet 19-A2B seaplanes.
Br.19T
Br.19T bis
Br.19 Limousine
(for six passengers, with a thicker fuselage), but these were never built. [2]
Breguet Br.26T
(1926)
Breguet Br.26TSbis
Breguet Br.280T
Breguet Br.281T
Breguet Br.284T

In total, more than 2,000 Breguet 19s were manufactured in France, and about 700 license-built by Spanish CASA, Japanese Nakajima, Belgian SABCA and the Yugoslavian aircraft factory in Kraljevo. [9]

Operators

Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Flag of Bolivia.svg  Bolivia
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  China
Flag of Independent State of Croatia.svg  Independent State of Croatia
Flag of France.svg  France
Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece
Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan

In April 1925, the factory Nakajima Hikoki KK acquired two aircraft. The purchase was the work of the well-known promoter of aviation, the Asahi Shinbun newspaper group. A production license was acquired. Nakajima offered a float-equipped version to the navy, and another was entered into a competition for maritime reconnaissance, but was unsuccessful. One plane flew again with wheeled undercarriage and civilian designation J-BBFO as a mail plane.

State Flag of Iran (1925).svg Iran
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Spain (1785-1873, 1875-1931).svg Kingdom of Spain & Flag of Spain (1931-1939).svg Spanish Republic
Sabiha Gokcen holding a bomb before the bombardment mission over Dersim with her Breguet 19. Breguet 19 Sabiha.jpg
Sabiha Gökçen holding a bomb before the bombardment mission over Dersim with her Breguet 19.
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay
Flag of Venezuela (1930-1954).svg  Venezuela
Flag of Yugoslavia (1918-1943).svg  Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  Yugoslavia

Record variants

Both standard and modified Breguet 19s were used for numerous record-breaking flights. The first was the Br.19 prototype, which won a military aircraft speed contest in Madrid on 17 February 1923. On 12 March 1923, it also set an international altitude record of 5,992 m (19,659 ft) carrying a 500 kg (1,100 lb) load. It was later bought by the Spanish government.

The Jesus del Gran Poder, a special version of the Breguet 19 that flew to Brazil from Spain in 1929 Jesus del gran poder.jpg
The Jesús del Gran Poder, a special version of the Breguet 19 that flew to Brazil from Spain in 1929

Many crews made long-distance flights in Br.19s. In February 1925, Thieffry flew from Brussels to Leopoldville in central Africa, a distance of 8,900 km (5,500 mi). Two Br.19 A2s were bought by the Japanese Asahi Shimbun newspaper and fitted with additional fuel tanks. They were flown by H. Abe and K. Kawachi on the Tokyo-Paris-London route in July 1925, covering 13,800 km (8,600 mi). Between 27 August and 25 September 1926, the Polish crew of Boleslaw Orlinski flew the Warsaw-Tokyo route (10,300 km (6,400 mi)) and back, in a modified Br.19 A2, despite the fact that one of its lower wings was broken on the way. On 8 June 1928 a modified Greek Br.A2 ("ΕΛΛΑΣ" en: Hellas), flown by C. Adamides and E. Papadakos, embarked on a long distance tour around the Mediterranean landing without incident at Tatoi airfield, Athens, on 1 July. Between 1927 and 1930, Romanian, Yugoslavian and Polish Br.19s were often used in Little Entente air races.

Point D'Interrogation at Le Bourget Point d'interrogation Musee du Bourget P1010705.JPG
Point D'Interrogation at Le Bourget

Breguet 19 GRs and TRs set several world records, mostly of long-distance non-stop flights, starting with Arrachart and Lemaitre's 3,166 km (1,967 mi) flight from Paris to Villa Cisneros in 24½ hours on 2–3 February 1925. On 14–15 July 1926, Girier and Dordilly set a new record of 4,716 km (2,930 mi) between Paris and Omsk, beaten on 31 August-1 September by Challe and Weiser's 5,174 km (3,215 mi), and on 28 October by Dieudonne Costes and Rignot's 5,450 km (3,390 mi). From 10 October 1927 – 14 April 1928, Costes and Le Brix flew a Br.19 GR (named Nungesser-Coli ) around the world, covering 57,000 km (35,000 mi) - though the journey between San Francisco and Tokyo was taken by ship.

The Super Bidon was created especially for the purpose of a transatlantic flight. It was named Point d'Interrogation ("The Question Mark"). Dieudonne Costes and Maurice Bellonte set a non-stop distance record of 7,905 km (4,912 mi) from Paris to Moullart on 27–29 September 1929 on this aircraft. Then on 1–2 September 1930, they flew from Paris to New York City, a distance of 6,200 km (3,900 mi) making the first non-stop east-west crossing of the North Atlantic by a fixed-wing aircraft. [12] The second Super Bidon, the Spanish Cuatro Vientos, vanished over Mexico with M. Barberan and J. Collar Serra, after a transatlantic flight from Seville to Cuba on 10–11 June 1933.

Surviving aircraft

Specifications (Br 19 A.2)

Data fromThe Encyclopedia of World Aircraft [15]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

Notes

  1. "Bugatti Powered Aircraft". the Bugatti revue. 1922-06-30. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Claveau, March–April 1997
  3. Carr, 2012, p.17
  4. Carr, 2012, pp.30-31
  5. Pérez San Emeterio, Carlos. "Entre Oriente y Occidente: Los vuelos del Jesús del Gran Poder" (PDF). ejercitodelaire.mde.es (in Spanish). Ejército del Aire. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  6. Swopes, Bryan R. (September 2, 2021). "1-2 September 1930". This Day in Aviation . Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  7. Sources differ by a small amount on the exact fuel capacity.
  8. Betes, Antonio. "Gloria y Tragedia del Vuelo Sevilla-Cuba-Méjico" (PDF). ejercitodelaire.mde.es (in Spanish). Ejército del Aire. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  9. "Breguet 19". 1000aircraftphotos.com. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
  10. Green; Swanborough; Layvastre (July–September 1978). "The Saga of the Ubiquitous Breguet". Air Enthusiast: 168.
  11. Andersson 2009, p.253
  12. "Captain Costa's World Famous Question Mark". Popular Mechanics: 908. December 1930. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  13. Pictures of the Nungesser et Coli Archived 2012-03-01 at the Wayback Machine stored in the museum.
  14. Pictures of the Point d'Interrogation Archived 2012-03-01 at the Wayback Machine in the museum.
  15. David Donald, ed. (1997). The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Aerospace Publishing. ISBN   1-85605-375-X.

Bibliography