Voisin VI

Voisin Type VI
Role	Bomber
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Société Anonyme des Aéroplanes G. Voisin
First flight	1916
Number built	approximately 50
Developed from	Voisin V

The Voisin VI or Voisin Type 6 ^[1] was a French pusher biplane bomber aircraft of World War I. ^[2]

Development history

The first Voisin VI entered service in 1916 and replaced the Voisin III on the production lines. However, the Salmson engines of the Voisin 155 hp (116 kW) (as they were referred to at the Western Front) were held in low regard by their crews. ^[1] Despite the more powerful engine, the Voisin VIs' payload was only marginally better and the maximum speed was only 113 km/h (70 mph; 61 kn) - not enough of an improvement to make a difference, while climb rate suffered substantially. ^[3]

A single Voisin VI was fitted with a second Salmson in the nose of the fuselage, driving a tractor propeller. It is believed that the intention was to test a possible twin pusher and tractor propeller configuration for a new bomber planned by Voisin.

Operational use

Approximately 50 Voisin VIs were built, and these served alongside the Voisin IIIs in front-line escadrilles, or aircraft squadrons, during 1916.

Operators

  France

• French Air Force

Specifications

Data from ^[4]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 9.62 m (31 ft 6.75 in)
• Wingspan: 14.75 m (52 ft 4.5 in)
• Height: 3.80 m (12 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 48.66 m² (523.8 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,000 kg (2,205 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,470 kg (3,240 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Salmson (Canton-Unné) P9 9-cyl. water-cooled radial piston engine, 116 kW (155 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 113 km/h (70 mph, 61 kn)
• Combat range: 249 km (155 mi, 134 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 3,500 m (11,500 ft)

Armament

• Guns: 1 × machine-gun
• Bombs: 60 kg (130 lb) of bombs

References

1. Russell Naughton (2003). "Les Frères Voisin Gabriel (1880 - 1973) et Charles (1882 - 1912)". Monash University . Retrieved 26 January 2019.
2. Justin D. Murphy (2005). Military Aircraft, Origins to 1918: An Illustrated History of Their Impact. ABC-CLIO. ISBN   9781851094882.
3. Davilla, Dr. James J.; Soltan, Arthur (1997). French Aircraft of the First World War. Mountain View, CA: Flying Machines Press. ISBN   978-1891268090.
4. Parmentier, Bruno (2016). "Voisin VI" (in French). Aviation Française. Retrieved 26 January 2019.