Voisin Triplane

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Voisin Triplane
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1916 version of the Voisin Triplane
Role Bomber
National origin France
Manufacturer Société Anonyme des Aéroplanes G. Voisin
First flight 1915
Number built 2

The Voisin Triplane was a large experimental bomber built by Voisin in 1915. After unsuccessful trials of the prototype a modified version with more powerful engines was built in 1916, but the type did not enter production.[1]

Design and development

The Voisin Triplane had an unorthodox configuration, the tail surfaces being supported between the fuselage and an upper boom attached to the centre section of the upper wing. The four engines were installed in tandem in two nacelles on the centre wing. Two gun positions were provided, one the nose and second behind the trailing edge of the wings, firing downwards through an aperture in the fuselage.[1]

The first aircraft built was powered by four 150 hp (110 kW) engines but performance was unsatisfactory, and a second aircraft was built powered by four 200 hp (150 kW) Hispano Suiza engines, and a redesigned circular section fuselage.

Specifications (1916 version)

Data from Flight[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Upper wingspan: 36 m (118 ft)
  • Wing area: 200 m2 (2,150 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 4,990 kg (11,000 lb)
  • Gross weight: 6,985 kg (15,400 lb)
  • Powerplant: 4 × Hispano-Suiza V-8 water-cooled piston engines, 150 kW (200 hp) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 127 km/h; 69 kn (79 mph) at 1981 metres (6500 ft)
  • Service ceiling: 3,505 m (11,500 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 27 minutes to 1981 m (6,500 ft)
  • Wing loading: 35 kg/m2 (7.1 lb/sq ft)

References

External links