Clément-Bayard No. 1
The Clément-Bayard No. 1 was an airship that was completed in 1908 in the factory of the French industrialist Adolphe Clément-Bayard .
history
Clément-Bayard supplied the nacelle and propulsion system, while the shell was made by Société Astra . The maiden flight took place on October 28, 1908 under the direction of Henry Kapférer. Until then it was the largest French airship. Several flights followed, including an overland flight with a total length of 200 km. A national endurance and speed record was set.
Clément-Bayard intended to sell the airship to the French government at a price of 500,000 francs . However, this was not interested, as they thought the purchase price was too high. However, the Russian government showed interest and demonstration flights took place in Paris on August 23, 1909. Louis Capazza steered the airship, with which he set a new altitude record. Gusts caught the airship on landing. It drifted away and sank into the Seine after brushing against some trees . It was salvaged and repaired. The Russian army put the airship into service under the name Berkut .
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Clément-Bayard No. 1 |
|---|---|
| length | 56.25 m |
| diameter | 10.58 m |
| volume | 3,500 m³ |
| drive | two Clément-Bayard engines with 115 hp |
literature
- Michael J. H Taylor, Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation , Crescent Books, New York