Bernad H.52 (Hydravion)

History of Bernad H. 52 (Hydravion)

The Societe des Avions Bernard modified a land-based plane, originally intended for sale by the French Air Force, into a carrier-based seaplane fighter known as the Bernard H. 52. This transformation involved adding streamlined floats in place of the landing gear, changing the engine layout, and revising the nose section. The seaplane fighter concept offered tactical versatility but sacrificed some performance. Despite two completed prototypes, the H. 52 did not progress beyond this stage due to the French Navy's lack of interest.

The H. 52 was developed in line with French Navy specifications for 1932. It featured a Gnome-Rhone 9Kdrs 500hp engine, a fixed-pitch metal propeller, and two 7.7mm machine guns mounted beneath its wings. High lift devices and wing grooves were incorporated for low-speed maneuverability. The prototypes were tested with different propeller configurations, and while the design shared some components with its Type 260 sister, it was ultimately not adopted by the French Navy, leading the company to focus on other projects like the "H. 110," which also did not enter production.

In the end, the French Navy opted for a different seaplane, the Loire 210, which was later retired due to structural issues. The H. 52 had a length of 30.5 feet, a wingspan of 37.8 feet, and a height of 14 feet. It had a curb weight of 3,265 pounds and a maximum takeoff weight of 4,165 pounds, with performance characteristics including a top speed of 204 mph, a range of up to 370 miles, and a service ceiling of 27,900 feet. It could reach an altitude of 13,125 feet in 9 minutes.

Specification

BASICS

Year of Service: 1933

Origins: France

Status: Cancel

Crew: 1

Production: 2

Manufacturer: Societe des Avions Bernard (S.A.B.) - France

Roles

Air-to-air combat, fighter

The general ability to actively attack other aircraft of similar form and function, usually using guns, missiles and/or airborne missiles.

Nautical/navy

Water mobility capability for a variety of land-based or ship-based maritime missions, supported by Allied Naval Surface Forces.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

X-Plane (development, prototyping, tech demos)

Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Notable Features

Strong Aircraft Frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

High-speed performance

Can accelerate to higher speeds than the average aircraft at the time.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Seaport

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

Rescue process

A manual process to allow the pilot and/or crew to exit in the event of an onboard emergency.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 30.5 feet (9.30m)

Width/span: 37.7 feet (11.50m)

Height: 14.0 feet (4.27m)

Cured weight: 3,263 lbs (1,480 kg)

MTOW: 4,167 lbs (1,890 kg)

Wgt Difference: +904 lbs (+410 kg)

MAINPLANE STRUCTURE

Monoplane

Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

Install low

The main aircraft is mounted low on the side of the fuselage.

Straight

Floor plans involve the use of simple, straight main plan elements.

Performance

Installed: 1 x Gnome-Rhone 9Kdrs 500hp 9-cylinder radial piston air-cooled engine driving a propeller unit mounted in front of the two blades.

Maximum speed: 205 km/h (330 km/h | 178 knots)

Cruising speed: 165 km/h (265 km/h | 143 knots)

Maximum speed difference: +40 km/h (+65 km/h | 35 kn)

Maximum: 27,887 feet (8,500 m | 5 km)

Area: 373 km (600 km | 1,111 nautical miles)

Rate of climb: 1,455 ft/min (443 m/min)

Weapons

Proposed: 2 x 7.7mm Dahn machine guns under the wings (one shot per wing limb).