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C.450 Coleoptere

101k Blyatnov  8 months ago

The SNECMA C.450 Coléoptère (beetle) was a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft that was designed by the French company SNECMA and manufactured by Nord Aviation. While work on the aircraft proceeded to the test flying phase, the project never progressed beyond experimental purposes.

The Coléoptère was one of multiple efforts to produce a viable VTOL aircraft being conducted around the world throughout the 1950s. SNECMA had previously experimented with several wingless test rigs, known as the Atar Volant, which influenced the design. In terms of its general configuration, the Coléoptère was a single-person aircraft with an unusual annular wing; the aircraft was designed to take-off and land vertically, therefore requiring no runway and very little space. Performing its maiden flight during December 1958, the sole prototype was destroyed on its ninth flight on 25 July 1959. While there were intentions at one stage for a second prototype to be produced, financing was never sourced.

General Characteristics

  • Created On Android
  • Wingspan 13.9ft (4.3m)
  • Length 13.9ft (4.3m)
  • Height 26.0ft (7.9m)
  • Empty Weight 2,183lbs (990kg)
  • Loaded Weight 4,760lbs (2,159kg)

Performance

  • Power/Weight Ratio 2.36
  • Wing Loading 36.9lbs/ft2 (180.0kg/m2)
  • Wing Area 129.2ft2 (12.0m2)
  • Drag Points 4217

Parts

  • Number of Parts 47
  • Control Surfaces 4
  • Performance Cost 262