Astra Clément-Bayard Explained
Astra Clément-Bayard was a French manufacturer of dirigibles.
In 1908 the French industrialist Adolphe Clément-Bayard, who had already made a fortune manufacturing cars, motorcycles and bicycles, diversified into the aviation industry. His first project was a lens-shaped airship designed by Louis Capazza, which was never built. He then collaborated with the Société Astra (Société Astra des Constructions Aéronautiques) on the manufacture of a more conventional craft. Astra were responsible for the manufacture of the envelope, and Clément-Bayard took responsibility for the nacelle and engine. After this collaborative effort the company started manufacturing the envelopes as well, at a new factory in La Motte-Breuil built in anticipation of orders from the French Army, who had decided to commence airship operations.
The Clément-Bayard No.1 airship was offered to the French government but was too expensive so it was bought by Tsar Nicholas II for the Russian army.
In 1910 the Clément-Bayard No.2, piloted by Maurice Clément-Bayard, was the first airship to cross the Channel, travelling over in six hours.[1] The French army ordered three.
The company was bought by Citroën in 1922.[1]
The airship hangar in La Motte-Breuil is still maintained by Clément-Talbot Ltd.
Clément-Bayard dirigibles
Seven Clément-Bayard airships were completed.[2] [3]
- N° 1 was 56.25m (184.55feet) long, 10.58m (34.71feet) wide, 3500m2 capacity, powered by 2 Clément-Bayard 115 hp engines. First flew on 28 October 1908.[2]
- N° 2 was 76.5m (251feet) long, 13.22m (43.37feet) wide, 7000m2 capacity, powered by 2 Clément-Bayard 120 hp engines. Top speed 54 km/h. First flew on 1 June 1910.
- N° 3 Dupuy de Lôme, 89m (292feet) long, 13.5m (44.3feet) wide, 9000m2 capacity, powered by 2 Clément-Bayard 120 hp engines. First flew on 1 May 1912.
- N° 4 Adjudant Vincenot, 88.5m (290.4feet) long, 13.5m (44.3feet)wide, 9800m2 capacity, powered by 2 Clément-Bayard 120 hp engines. Top speed 49 km/h. First flew in 1911.
- Adj Vincenot modified, 87.3m (286.4feet) metres long, 13.5m (44.3feet) wide, 9800m2 capacity, powered by 2 Clément-Bayard 120 engines. Top speed 53 km/h. First flew on 13 August 1913.
- N° 5 livré à la Russie, 86m (282feet) long, 13.5m (44.3feet) wide, 9500m2 capacity, powered by 2 Clément-Bayard 130 hp engines. First flew on 9 February 1913.
- Montgolfier, 73.5m (241.1feet)long, 12.2m (40feet)12.2 metres wide, 6500m2 capacity, powered by 2 Clément-Bayard 90 hp engines. Top speed 60 km/h. First flew on 31 July 1913.[4]
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Clément-Bayard . Nos belles anciennes . https://web.archive.org/web/20110715024232/http://nos-belles-anciennes.over-blog.com/article-clement-bayard-a-m-3-de-1909-la-centenaire--38898903.html . July 15, 2011 . French.
- http://www.hydroretro.net/etudegh/clement-bayard.pdf Hydro Retro, Clément-Bayard, pdf (French) Clément-Bayard, sans peur et sans reproche par Gérard Hartmann
- http://nos-belles-anciennes.over-blog.com/article-clement-bayard-a-m-3-de-1909-la-centenaire--38898903.html Nos belles anciennes – Clément-Bayard, Profile of Gustave Adolphe Clément
- http://www.blimp-n2a.com/CB.htm Blimp n2a, THe Dirigibles of Clement-Bayard