Roussel R.30

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Roussel R-30
f2
Type: Fighter bomber
Design country:

FranceFrance France

Manufacturer:

Levasseur

First flight:

March 1933

Commissioning:

-

Number of pieces:

1

The Roussel R.30 was a French fighter-bomber from 1938. Only one prototype of the model was made.

history

The designer of the same name of the Roussel R.30 was the brother of the engineer who designed the Bloch MB.150 . The R.30 was very much based on the Bloch. Roussel's basic idea was to minimize the dimensions and weight of the MB.150 as much as possible. In the end, Roussel's design actually had an empty weight of only about half the empty weight of the production version of the MB.150. As a result, the R.30 - although it was powered by an engine with a power output of 940 to 1030 hp in the Bloch MB.150 only 690 hp Gnôme-Rhône 14M 7 star engine - was able to achieve a top speed on the first test flights in April 1939 that was with 520 km / h was almost 90 km / h higher than that of the MB.150. The armament of the R.30 initially consisted of two 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS-404 cannons . In addition, the aircraft was able to carry a 250 kg bomb under the fuselage.

The Armée de l'air showed interest in the type and from autumn 1939 it was subjected to extensive tests at the CEMA , with satisfactory results. As a modification, the replacement of the 20-mm cannons for the Oerlikon AS type was desired, which was carried out in May 1940. In addition, the prototype was converted to a 110 hp more powerful version of the Gnome-Rhône 14M . Further development work and possible series production were prevented by the German invasion . As the German associations approached, the prototype was brought from Paris to Bordeaux , where it later burned in a hangar.

construction

The Roussel R.30 was a low-wing aircraft of predominantly metal construction, which was powered by an air-cooled 14-cylinder radial engine. The rudder surfaces were covered with fabric, the landing gear was retracted into the wings. The pilot sat in a lockable glass canopy directly above the wings.

Technical specifications

Roussel R.30 (prototype)
Parameter Data
 length    6.10 m 
 height    2.10 m 
 span    k. A. 
 Wing area    10 m² 
 drive    an air-cooled radial engine Gnôme-Rhône 14M 7, 690 PS (507 kW) 
 Top speed    520 km / h (at 6000 m altitude) 
 Rate of climb    19 m / s 
 Service ceiling    k. A. 
 Range    1200 km 
 Empty mass    k. A. 
 Takeoff mass    k. A. 
 crew    1 
 Armament    two 20 mm Oerlikon AS cannons , later Hispano-Suiza HS-404,
a 250 kg bomb 

Bibliography

  • William Green, Gordon Swanborough: The Great Book of Fighters. Motorbooks International 10/2006, ISBN 0760311943 .

Web links