Arsenal VB-10

History of Arsenal VB-10

The

Arsenal VB-10 was the culmination of the Arsenal de l'Aeronatique's work on advanced propeller fighters prior to World War II (1939-1945). The state-owned company was founded in 1934 and has successfully produced a series of fighter jet designs called "VGs," although many ended up being "paper planes" or "one-off" prototypes.

VB 10 didn't perform well enough to end it, as only six prototypes were implemented.

The design uses a unique pair of engines, in tandem, driving two independent propeller units in the nose (in counter-rotating fashion). The cockpit, reserved by the pair of engines, is mounted directly forward amidships for a good view of what's to come. Each propeller unit is a three-blade arrangement. An air intake was added under the fuselage, and the wing main aircraft (also slightly forward midships) were straight in shape with rounded tips. The empennage is conventional, relying on a large rudder and a low-set horizontal plane.

The landing gear entering the design has a modern "smearing" configuration.

Given the dismal battle situation in and around France and the bright future of the VB-10, the heavy fighter was ordered before any physical form was completed - the French government is desperate to get all modern aircraft into the skies as soon as possible. However, with the conquest of France following the German invasion in May 1940, all was lost.

Despite this setback, the VB-10 was allowed to mature under the Vichy regime in France, albeit so slowly that the first prototypes did not take off until July 7, 1945 - note that the war in Europe officially ended this May . The prototype was powered by two 860-horsepower Hispano-Suiza 12Y31 inline 12-cylinder liquid-cooled engines and proved the design to be reliable overall. On December 22, 1945, the French Air Force signed a contract for 200 prototypes.

A second prototype appeared with a different engine equipment - 2 x Hispano-Suiza 12Z12/13 engines with 1,150 hp. In addition, the proposal adds a proposed weapon kit including 4 x 20mm Hispano-Suiza cannons and 6 x 12.7mm heavy Browning machine guns.

The model made its first flight on September 21, 1946.

Production is underway, with a production-quality first flight on 3 November 1947. This version was powered by 2 Hispano-Suiza 12Z Ars 15/16 engines with 1,150 hp and reduced armament to 4 x 20mm HS-404 guns. By then, however, the production order of 200 had been reduced to 50, and the entire order was eventually cancelled entirely in favor of jets.

Only four production-grade VB-10 aircraft were completedalong with the initial two prototypes.

Performance specifications for this line include a top speed of 435 mph, a range of up to 1,055 miles, and a service ceiling of 36,120 feet. The climb rate is 2,010 feet per minute.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Performance

Armor

Changes