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]
| 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 |
Design
editLike 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.
Development
editTests 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]
Variants
edit
- REP.2: initial version of 1908
- REP.2bis: improved version of 1909
Specifications (REP.2bis)
editData from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft 1983, p.1616
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 6.85 m (22 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan: 8.60 m (28 ft 3 in)
- Height: 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 15.75 m2 (169.5 sq ft)
- Max takeoff weight: 350 kg (772 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × REP air-cooled, seven-cylinder semi-radial ("fan") engine, 22 kW (30 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 80 km/h (50 mph, 43 kn)
Notes
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft 1983, p.1616
- ^ a b c d Dumas 1909, p.56
- ^ a b c d e Munson 1969, p.130
- ^ "Experiences de M. R. Esnault-Pelterie" 1908, p.226
- ^ a b c d e f Gibbs-Smith 1966, p.53
- ^ "Le Monoplan R.E.P bis gagne le 3e Prix de 200 metres" 1908, p.479
- ^ a b "Rheims Aero Meeting" 1909, p.504
- ^ Dumas 1909, p.85
Bibliography
edit- Dumas, Alexandre (1909). Stud Book de l'Aviation [Stud Book of Aviation] (in French). Paris: Edition du journal l'Aero.
- "Experiences de M. R. Esnault-Pelterie". L'Aérophile (in French). 15 June 1908. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
- Gibbs-Smith, Charles H. (1966). A Directory and Nomenclature of the First Aeroplanes 1809 to 1909. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing.
- "Le Monoplan R.E.P bis gagne le 3e Prix de 200 metres". L'Aérophile (in French): 479. 1 December 1908. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
- Munson, Kenneth (1969). Pioneer Aircraft 1903–14. London: Blandford.
- "Rheims Aero Meeting", Flight: 504, 21 August 1909