| REP.2 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The R.E.P. 2 in 1908 | |
| Role | Experimental aircraft |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Robert Esnault-Pelterie |
| Designer | Robert Esnault-Pelterie |
| First flight | June 1908 |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from | Esnault-Pelterie REP.1 |
The Esnault-Pelterie REP.2 was an early experimental aircraft designed and built by Robert Esnault-Pelterie in France in 1908. [1] In its final form, the REP.2bis, it was the most successful of Esnault-Pelterie's early designs. [1]
Like Esnault-Pelterie's previous REP.1, it was a high-wing monoplane with a short fuselage and an open cockpit for the pilot. [1] Power was provided by a piston engine in the nose [1] [2] of Esnault-Pelterie's own design. [1] This engine turned a tractor-mounted propeller. [1] [2] The undercarriage was unusual, consisting of a main monowheel and a tailwheel. [1] [2] This bicycle arrangement was supplemented by large outrigger wheels mounted on the wingtips. [1] [2] The trapezoidal wings had a marked anhedral, [1] and lateral control was achieved by wing-warping. [3] It was originally fitted with small elevators on the forward fuselage, but these were soon removed. [3]
The REP.2 differed from the REP.1 in having a large ventral balanced rudder.
Tests with the REP.2 commenced in June 1908, and on 8 June a flight of 1,200 m (3,900 ft) was made, reaching an altitude of 30 m (100 ft), setting a height and distance record for monoplanes. [4] As originally constructed, Esnault-Pelterie made several brief flights in it, but none longer than one or two minutes. [5]
The aircraft was then modified by the addition of a trapezoidal dorsal fin, to create the REP.2bis. In this form, piloted by M. Châteaux, it won the third Ae.C.F. prize for a flight of over 200 metres on 21 November 1908, with an officially observed flight of 316 m (1,037 ft). [6] It was then exhibited at the Paris Aero Salon in December 1908 and at the Aero Show at Olympia in London in 1909. [7] While on show, Esnault-Pelterie offered the aircraft for sale for £GBP 1,400 (about £GBP 142,000 in 2025), which aviation historian Kenneth Munson described as "optimistic". [3]
In May 1909, it made its longest flight, of 8 kilometres (5.0 mi), [1] [3] [5] [8] covering the distance in about seven minutes. [5]
It was entered for the Grande Semaine d'Aviation ("Grand week of Aviation") in Reims in August 1909, but Esnault-Pelterie did not compete there owing to an injury to his hand. [7] Nevertheless, of four Esnault-Pelterie monoplanes fielded, it was the only one to make a flight [3] (and even then, only once. [5] ) It carried the tail number 3. [5]
As the REP.2bis, it made twelve flights. [5]
Data fromThe Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft 1983, p.1616
General characteristics
Performance
