Breguet Type IV explained
Breguet Type IV should not be confused with Breguet 4.
The Breguet Type IV was an aircraft built by Breguet Aviation. It was first flown in 1911, and was the first Breguet aircraft to be produced in quantity. It was used by the French Army and the British Royal Flying Corps. It is notable for the extensive use of metal in its construction, unusual in an aircraft of its time.
Design and development
The Bréguet Type IV was developed from the Bréguet Type III which had appeared during 1910. It was a tractor biplane with a tricycle undercarriage.
Variants and nomenclature
The Bréguet Type IV was produced in a number of variants, differing in their seating arrangement and in the engine fitted. Although Bréguet's earlier aircraft were referred to using a type number, the aircraft produced after the Type III were generally referred to using an airframe number and a letter/number combination denoting the type of engine fitted.[1]
- G, later G.1 powered by a Gnome Omega
- G.2 powered by a Gnome
- G.3 powered by a Gnome Gnome Double Omega
- G.4 powered by a Gnome Gnome Double Lambda
- R.1 powered by a REP
- R.2 powered by a REP
- L.1 powered by a Renault 50/60 hp (the 'L' for Louis Renault)
- L.2 powered by a Renault
- C.1 powered by a Chenu
- C.2 powered by an Chenu
- U.1 powered by an Canton-Unné
- U.2 powered by an Canton-Unné
- D.1 powered by a Dansette
- O.1 powered by an Le Rhône
Survivors
An example, an R.U.1, is on display at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris.
References
- Web site: Hartmann . Gérard . Le grand concours d’aviation militaire de Reims 1911. fr. The Reims Military Aviation Competition, 1911 . Dossiers historiques et techniques aéronautique française . Gérard Hartmann . 11 September 2022.
- Moulin. Jean. Reims 1911, le premier concours d'appareils militaires au monde! . Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire . October 2004 . 139 . 51–58 . Reims 1911, the First Military Aircraft Concours in the World! . fr . 1243-8650.
- Book: Opdycke, Leonard E.. French Aeroplanes Before the Great War. Schiffer. Atglen, PA. 1999. 0-764307525. Leonard E. Opdycke.
Notes and References
- Opdycke 1999 p.74