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Like something out of a science fiction movie: wingless airplane project, designed by the French in the 1950s

  • February 17, 2024
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In the 1950s, a very different design from the traditional aircraft prototype was put forward. In this design It did not have a proper wing nor was it

Like something out of a science fiction movie: wingless airplane project, designed by the French in the 1950s

In the 1950s, a very different design from the traditional aircraft prototype was put forward. In this design It did not have a proper wing nor was it horizontal in shape.

The plane has gone through years of development and testing, which wouldn’t look good if we put it in a science fiction movie. Agree After development efforts and a series of tests what happened? Let’s take a look, starting from the beginning.

They planned to increase the aircraft’s power and eliminate the traditional wing.

Conventional aircraft need a runway to take off properly. Wings strong enough to take off until it creates buoyancy Airplanes accelerate on this runway. More force can be applied to shorten the path on the track.

This gives more power faster start, In 1950s France he spawned a different idea. They decided to throw aside all traditional aircraft and design something brand new.

Planes with sufficient power could take off without needing a runway.

airplane design

The French designed an aircraft named “C.450 Coléoptère”. Instead of gaining momentum as it went down the runway, it flew straight into the air. On the wings to create buoyancy What would be used would be engine power.

aeroplane

The shape looked more like a rocket than an airplane. Planes resembling an angry swarm of bees will fly over their tails. With the ability to take off, land and take off anywhere It would protect French airspace. This idea was not limited to France. It was later designed in the USA.

The C.450 Coléoptère was not as good a project as expected.

Powerful engines alone were not enough. Another wing was needed. For this a cylindrical wing they designed. One wing would fulfill many functions. The incoming air would compress, mix with the fuel and ignite the aircraft. The triangular fins around the wing are said to provide directional control.

airplane wing

The cylindrical wing was theoretically better than a conventional wing because it created less drag, but in practice parasitic friction caused by the structure of the wing, It caused more harm than good.

There was another problem. This design had the pilot’s back facing the ground. Designers designed a cockpit with a seat that can rotate 90 degrees regardless of the plane’s direction.

Flight tests began in 1959.

wingless plane

The plane was actually able to stay in the air for several minutes and climbed up to 800 meters. But because of its shape It turned slowly on its axis making it quite difficult to control.

There was also no chance to land without using engine power. During one of the tests, the plane crashed and the pilot barely survived. After this test, it was worked on for a number of years. The prototype was destroyed.

To date, there have been many attempts to design aircraft that are different from conventional aircraft, but none of them look anything like the aircraft we currently use. It has failed to be better or safer. C.450 Coléoptère was one of them lost to history.

Sources: Avions Legendaries, Military Factory, Aircraft Technology

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