Blériot 290

Blériot 290
Role	light amphibian flying-boat
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Blériot
Designer	Filippo Zappata
First flight	1931
Number built	1

The Blériot 290 was a 1930s French sesquiplane flying boat designed by Filippo Zappata. One prototype was built, but it was not ordered or produced.[1]

Design and development

The 290 was designed by Zappata as a three-seat touring amphibian flying boat. It had a streamlined single-step hull and an enclosed cabin,[1] and was powered by a Salmson 9Ab radial piston engine with a two-bladed pusher propeller.[1] It first flew in October 1931, and as a result of tests was re-designed with a second step in the hull. The 290 was underpowered and over-priced and did not enter production. The prototype was scrapped in April 1937.[1]

Specifications

Blériot 290 3-view drawing from L'Aerophile May 1932

Data from [1] The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 2 passengers
• Length: 9.98 m (32 ft 9 in)
• Wingspan: 14.60 m (47 ft 10.75 in)
• Wing area: 32.00 m^2 (344.46 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,205 kg (2,656 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,698 kg (3,743 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Salmson 9Ab radial piston engine , 172 kW (230 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 205 km/h (127 mph, 110 kn)
• Range: 650 km (404 mi, 351 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 3,700 m (12,140 ft)

See also

Related lists

• List of flying boats and floatplanes

References

Notes

1. Orbis 1985, pp. 714-715

Bibliography

• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.