An exceptional wind-tunnel model of a modified Le Loire 102 "Bretagne" flying boat, An exceptional wind-tunnel model of a modified Le Loire 102 "Bretagne" flying boat

An exceptional wind-tunnel model of a modified Le Loire 102 "Bretagne" flying boat

Details

An exceptional wind-tunnel model of a modified Le Loire 102 "Bretagne" flying boat
the finely carved and finished mahogany fuselage with main and tailplanes, twin fins and three streamlined over-mainplane mounted engine nacelles, with aluminium flaps and ailerons hinged to provide wind-tunnel airflow disturbance, the under-wing floats braced to the fuselage by aerofoil sectioned struts, the tailplane similarly braced, with suspension point above the crew compartment
40½in. (103cm.) wing span; 33in. (84cm.) overall length

Lot Essay

Designed by Breton, Yan Kerguistal, the Loire 102 was designed to compete for the postal service from Dakar to Natal. By the time the prototype flew on 12 may 1936 with four tandem-mounted Hispano-Suiza twelve-cylinder engines she was already obsolete. Development ceased in July 1938, and the aircraft was broken up some time later. The wind-tunnel model offered here was perhaps a last-ditch attempt by Le Loire to produce an acceptable aircraft to the original specification.

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