Bernard 260 (Model 260)

History of the Bernard 260 (Model 260)

Societe des Avions Bernard (S.A.B.) presented their Bernard 260 (Model 260) single-seat, single-engine metal monoplane for Air France in 1931 Air Force Fighter Requirements. The specification calls for a state-of-the-art land-based solution that weighs less than 4,000 pounds and is capable of reaching speeds of 215 miles per hour at altitude.

The proposed fighter jet did not meet government requirements and only two were built, only one of which flew.

The Sigismond-Georges Bruner-designed Type 260 had a standard interwar configuration and a low-mounted monoplane wing plan. The elements were placed on either side of the forward hull, with the open-air cockpit located slightly forward amidships. The motor is mounted in the usual position of the nose and drives the two-bladed propeller in a puller manner.

The tail is in a simple single tail arrangement, the landing gear is wheel-mounted, and the tail arrangement is a tail arrangement.

Proposed weapons are 2 x 7.7mm Vickers machine guns (air-cooled), these units are mounted under the wings - although the updated requirement ends up being 4 x 7.7mm machine guns or 2 x 20mm - Autocannons or a mix of these designates two to address today's growing threats.

For propulsion, the fighter relies on a 690-horsepower Hispano-Suiza 12Xbrs 12-cylinder liquid-cooled piston engine driving a fixed-pitch metal propeller unit.

The prototype "Model 260 C.1" completed in September 1932 made its maiden flight. During testing, we tried a variety of radiator brackets and styles for adequate cooling. This aircraft is very streamlined, with leading edge/trailing edge flaps on its major aircraft components for improved lift and control.

The resulting performance includes a top speed of 234 mph, a range of up to 500 miles and a service ceiling of 33,660 feet. The time to reach 9,840 feet is 4 minutes 20 seconds.

The aircraft has a length of 25.6 feet, a wingspan of 41.1 feet, and a height of 12.9 feet. Curb weight is 3,000 lbs and total weight is 4,120 lbs.

The C.1 prototype was tested for approximately 100 hours under different conditions and different actions. Cooling and performance/control limitations issues, as well as internal company issues, appear to have plagued the proposed fighter in the meantime.

As such, it did not go beyond the testing phase of the French authorities, opting instead for the competing Dewoitine D. 500 monoplane (described in detail elsewhere on this site).

The same procedure for the 260 model culminated in the proposed 261 model fork, which sought to increase power/performance by incorporating an upgraded 860hp Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs engine. Another design change is the installation of a modern retractable landing gear.

Another related variant branch was the Type 262, which was proposed as a carrier-based combat solution but was never further developed.

Specification

BASICS

Years of Service

1932

Origins

France

Status

Cancel

Development ended.

Crew

1

Production

1

Manufacturer

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

Carrier

France(try)

scrolling

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.

X-Plane (development, prototype, tech demo)

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.

Extended range performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Super performance

The design covers the three key performance categories of speed, altitude and range.

Rating Process

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

Dimensions and Weight

Length

25.6 feet

(7.80m)

Width/span

41. 2 feet

(12.55m)

Height

12.8 feet

(3.90m)

Cured weight

2,998 lbs

(1,360 kg)

MTOW

4,123 lbs

(1,870 kg)

Wgt Difference

+1,124 lbs

(+510 kg)

MAINPLANE STRUCTURE

wing/low/straight

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.

(The structure descriptor refers to the production variant Bernard Model 260)

Performance

Installed:

1 x Hispano-Suiza 12Xbrs 12-cylinder 690hp liquid-cooled piston engine driving a fixed pitch metal propeller unit on the nose.

Maximum speed

233 km/h

(375 km/h | 202 knots)

Cruising speed

196 km/h

(315 km/h | 170 knots)

Maximum speed difference

+60 km/h

(+60 km/h | 32 kn)

Maximum

33,629 feet

(10,250 m | 6 km)

Area

497 km

(800 km | 1,482 nautical miles)

rate of climb

1,095 ft/min

(334 m/min)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Weapons

2 x 7.7mm Vickers machine guns mounted on the wings (one gun per wing panel).