|
Henri Kaper of The Hague, The Netherlands, found the report on this design in the December 3, 1930 issue of a magazine called 'The Aeroplane'.
The article "ON THE AERO-SHOW IN PARIS", is a long description of the 1930 Paris Air
Salon held in the Grand Palais (as were the thirteen succeeding shows).
According to the article only the pusher engine was a mock-up.
The record stated only the following specifications...
- Engine: Renault
- Seats: 2
- Catagory: Commercial
|
Says Henri... "I understand it was not an aerocar as are most others on the Roadable Times website. It looks like the tail could not be removed. The front wheels are not steering wheels, they are protection in case the nose drops over when landing.
"Nevertheless it was an aircraft mixed with the concept of a car. Apparently it was meant to be an aircraft the passengers would experience as a car, and it is called an "aeromobile". In this way I think, it still suits the
subject of this website.
"Perhaps you should see it as an aircraft that was meant to be flown like you drive a car, which is another possible explanation of the term "aeromobile".
|
|
The form drag developed by this design would have meant that this was a rather slow aircraft, and the high center of thrust would have been a matter of concern, but neither of these failings were necessarily cause to dismiss this idea.
A high thrust-line tends to lower the nose of an aircraft when power is applied, and this is definitely a feature that is not desireable when on final approach. However, there are a number of successful flying boats that overcome this problem by redesigning the tail-boom to provide more clearance, and then lowering the height of the engine pilon.
A fairing for the engine also would have helped to increase air speed and, after all, flying speed is still faster than driving speed.
These criticisms were not raised by the magazine's reporter. He objected to an aircraft that looked somewhat like a car. But maybe the designer was right. Perhaps more members of the public would take up flying if general aircraft bore a little more resemblence to their favorite form of transportation - their automobile.
Besides, the visibility would have been magnificent. Just imagine flying a high-winged monoplane whose wing does not block the view of the runway as you are turning on to final approach!
|
