Bréguet Type IV

The Bréguet Type IV was an aircraft built by Bréguet Aviation. It was first flown in 1911, and was the first Bréguet aircraft to be produced in quantity. It was used by the French Army and the British Royal Flying Corps. It is notable for the extensive use of metal in its construction, unusual in an aircraft of its time.

Not to be confused with Bréguet 4.
Type VI
Bréguet and around 10 passengers above the airport of Douai in March 1911
Role Experimental aircraft
Manufacturer Bréguet
Designer Louis Bréguet
First flight 1911

Design and development

The Bréguet Type IV was developed from the Bréguet Type III which had appeared during 1910. It was a tractor biplane with a tricycle undercarriage.

Variants and nomenclature
View of R.U.1, clearly showing construction of the aircraft

The Bréguet Type IV was produced in a number of variants, differing in their seating arrangement and in the engine fitted. Although Bréguet's earlier aircraft were referred to using a type number, the aircraft produced after the Type III were generally referred to using an airframe number and a letter/number combination denoting the type of engine fitted.[1]

  • G, later G.1 powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) Gnome Omega
  • G.2 powered by a 70 hp (52 kW) Gnome
  • G.3 powered by a 100 hp (75 kW) Gnome Gnome Double Omega
  • G.4 powered by a 160 hp (120 kW) Gnome Gnome Double Lambda
  • R.1 powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) REP
  • R.2 powered by a 70 hp (52 kW) REP
  • L.1 powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) Renault 50/60 hp (the 'L' for Louis Renault)
  • L.2 powered by a 70 hp (52 kW) Renault
  • C.1 powered by a 40 hp (30 kW) Chenu
  • C.2 powered by an 80 hp (60 kW) Chenu
  • U.1 powered by an 80 hp (60 kW) Canton-Unné
  • U.2 powered by an 80 hp (60 kW) Canton-Unné
  • D.1 powered by a 100 hp (75 kW) Dansette
  • O.1 powered by an 80 hp (60 kW) Le Rhône

Survivors
R.U.1 at the Musée des Arts et Métiers

An example, an R.U.1, is on display at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris.

Specifications (L-1 Cruiser)

Data from Flight, 22 July 1911, p. 625[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 1
  • Length: 8.5 m (28 ft)
  • Upper wingspan: 13.94 m (45 ft 9 in)
  • Lower wingspan: 8.74 m (28 ft 8 in)
  • Wing area: 30.43 m2 (327.5 sq ft)
  • Propellers: 2.4 m (8 ft) diameter

Notes
  1. Opdycke 1999 p.74
  2. The Breguet L-1 Cruiser Flight International 22 July 1911

References
  • Opdycke, Leonard E. (1999). French Aeroplanes Before the Great War. Atglen, PA: Schiffer. ISBN 0-764307525.
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