Breguet-Dorand G.V

[63cpe]

Hi, Ya all!

While I'm in kinda hurry to get one model finished for the show tomorrow (http://www.ipms.nl/euroscalemodelling/30-esm/2000-euro-scale-modelling-mainpage-english.html)
I'm exited about my latest whif. Just in time finished for the show. I'll post better pictures after the show but couldn't wait to share these with you.

Subject is the Breguet Dorand G.V a French-just after-ww2 gyroplane for (armed) reconnaissance.

Frenchman Louis Breguet, had already experimented with rotorcraft in 1909, however, he chose to concentrate on airplanes until the end of the 1920s. In 1929 he announced a set of patents which addressed the flight stabilization of rotorcraft, and, in 1931, Breguet created the Syndicat d'Etudes de Gyroplane (French for "Syndicate for Gyroplane Studies"), together with Rene Dorand as technical director. Their goal was the development of an experimental helicopter, the Gyroplane Laboratoire. The Gyroplane Laboratoire was an early helicopter.
In 1938, Rene Dorand created the Societe Francaise Du Gyroplane, to develop a new aircraft with coaxial rotors, the GII, which was evacuated to Chambery in 1940 and finished. After the end of the war, it was found that no one dared to start the rotors, which, were very close to one another. The aircraft was donated to the French Air Museum.

It also became clear that especially the Americans had developed the concept of the helicopter into a practical useful aircraft and the development of the French prototype as compromised by the war. While the French Airforce and Army were re organized it needed all sorts of aircraft. A lot were supplied as lend-lease project aircraft but soon the urge for independence fueled by De Gaulle requested French built aircraft. This spawned the development of many different experimental aircraft.

One of the many requests from the French army was for a fast, armed reconnaissance aircraft/helicopter. While Dorand wanted to develop a Helicopter to meet the requirements, Breguet thought it was best to instant develop an gyroplane and not a helicopter. The technical development could be done a less time than the development of a helicopter. Altough not really happy about the decision Dorand knew the development of the gyroplane could mean more experience and development funds for the helicopter. So in 1949 the design was started.

To keep the costs down and speed up the development, parts from other aircraft were used. Undercarriage legs were taken from the Me-109 and altered. To blend-in the main undercarriage wheels, rubber fairings were used. The engine is an American Pratt & Whitney R2800 then also used for the Breguet Br 761/3/5 Deux-ponts. The engine was placed right in the middle of the airframe and powered an large six bladed variable pitch propellor and the rotor. This propellors as an integral part of the fuselage and a gearbox was needed to direct the power from the engine to the propellor. The rear amperage comprised of a butterfly tail, aluminium clad tubular airframe and the retractable tail wheel witch had to be long enough to clear the propellor.
Development was quick and in june 1950 the first test trials were started.

Altough some teething problems with the gearbox and it's cooling, three prototypes were ordered. In march 1951 the first prototype was finished and was trialed by the just resurrected escadron de reconnaissance 3/33 "Moselle" at Cognac airfield. Pictured is the prototype in its trial livery at ER 3/33 in may 1951.

Although an external oil cooler was fitted in the field the gearbox kept it's cooling problems. Also the landing gear was prone to collapsing while landing, creating massive damage to the airframe. After the third prototype was finished the French airforce lost interest as more useful, fully developed aircraft were available.

IMG_3674 by David Dunnebier, on Flickr

IMG_3646 by David Dunnebier, on Flickr

IMG_3649 by David Dunnebier, on Flickr

IMG_3668 by David Dunnebier, on Flickr

IMG_3661 by David Dunnebier, on Flickr

IMG_3673 by David Dunnebier, on Flickr

The complete album is to be seen here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jetsonsspecial/albums/72157674629746520/with/30687471505/

The fuselage is build from an 1/72 Academy Wildcat fuselage turned upside-down. Wheels were glued shut and puttied. Frontal parts and canopy is from an Ilyushin DB4. The rotor mast are the tophalves of the inner wing from the Wildcat. The tail planes came from an 1/144 Kawanishi H8K. Undercarriage came from the spare box (can't remember what model gave up it's parts).

I hope you like it! As always, your comments are always appreciated!
David

[Modelling_Mushi]

That, sir, is a thing of beauty 

Thank you for posting it.

[NARSES2]

Terrific work 

[Librarian]

  . Incredible chimaera and actually seems flyable. 10/10 for man-spheres with the NM finish.

[TomZ]

This looks completely crazy and I love it.
Just like something the French could have dreamt up....

See you tomorrow.

TomZ

[Dizzyfugu]

This looks utterly dangerous. And French. Frightening combo! 

[Tophe]

Wow!

[RAFF-35]

Fantastic build and a very well thought up back story too

[zenrat]

Brilliant.  Best thing i've seen on here all day.
Bravo!

[comrade harps]

That is so cute and cool. 

[The Rat]

Bartender, I'll have whatever he's drinking. 

[zenrat]

Bartender, I'll have whatever he's drinking. 

Absinthe by the look of it.

[ericr]

Bartender, I'll have whatever he's drinking. 

Absinthe by the look of it.

[Rheged]

Zur alors!!  C'est magnifique!.....and spectacularly French.

[loupgarou]

Ouch! That's really wild!
And I have missed seeing it this morning!

But you didn't say where the propeller comes from, and the tail cone.