Besson H-5

Besson H-5
Besson H-5 circa 1922
Role	Transport flying-boat
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Marcel Besson
First flight	1922
Number built	1

The Besson H-5 (or sometimes Besson MB-11) was a French transport quadruplane flying boat designed by the Marcel Besson company of Boulogne.[1] The only H-5 was damaged and development was abandoned.[1]

Development

The HB.5 (MB-10) originally started development as an open-sea reconnaissance/bombing flying-boat, but it was completed as a 20-seat passenger transport flying-boat.[1] Described as grotesque it had two sets of staggered biplane wings with an unusual X-type bracing and a biplane tail with triple fins and rudders.[1] Powered by four Salmson 9Z radial engines that were located in tandem pairs in line with the third mainplane.[2] The H-5 had a conventional fuselage on a three-ply mahogany boat hull, which had 24 watertight compartments.[2]

The H-5 was tested from the St Raphael naval air station in 1922 and proved to be stable with little vibration.[1] After a few test flights the H-5 was accidentally damaged and development was abandoned.[1]

Staggered wing detail

Specifications

Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft,[1] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1924[3]

General characteristics

• Crew: 5
• Capacity: 20 passengers
• Length: 22.0 m (72 ft 2 in)
• Wingspan: 29.00 m (95 ft 2 in)
• Height: 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
• Wing area: 255 m^2 (2,740 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 5,500 kg (12,125 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 10,000 kg (22,046 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 1,800 L (480 US gal; 400 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 4 × Salmson 9Z water-cooled radial piston engine, 190 kW (260 hp) each
• Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch tractor and pusher propellers

Performance

• Maximum speed: 168 km/h (104 mph, 91 kn)
• Range: 900 km (560 mi, 490 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 3,500 m (11,500 ft)

See also

Related lists

• List of flying boats and floatplanes

References

1. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. p. 655.
2. "The Marcel Besson H-5 Quadruplane Flying Boat". Flight. 15 February 1923. p. 89.
3. Grey, C.G., ed. (1924). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1924. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. p. 93b.