The Besson H-3 was a French civil touring triplane flying boat designed by the Marcel Besson company of Boulogne.[1] One aircraft was built and the type did not enter production.[1]

Besson H-3
Role Touring flying-boat
National origin France
Manufacturer Marcel Besson
First flight 1920
Number built 1

Design and development

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The H-3 was designed as a civil touring flying boat and had single-bay equal-span wings and room for two in a side-by-side configuration cockpit, it was fitted with dual-controls.[1] Initially powered by a 45 kW (60 hp) le Rhône 9Z rotary, the H-3 was found to be under-powered and re-engined with a 97 kW (130 hp) Clerget 9B rotary, (from Société Clerget-Blin et Cie), driving a tractor propeller.[1] The aircraft did not enter production and the sole H-3 was re-designated MB-12 in 1922 when it was modified with an enlarged central wing.[1]

Specifications (H-3)

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Besson H-3 3-view drawing from Les Ailes November 24, 1921

Data from [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Wingspan: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
  • Mid wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in) after modification to MB-12
  • Height: 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 30.99 m2 (333.6 sq ft) the MB-12 had a wing area of 32.20 m2 (346.6 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 590 kg (1,301 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 875 kg (1,929 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Clerget 9B rotary piston engine, 97 kW (130 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch wooden tractor propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 155 km/h (96 mph, 84 kn)
  • Range: 450 km (280 mi, 240 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 3,200 m (10,500 ft)

See also

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Related lists

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Orbis 1985, p. 655

Bibliography

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  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.