| Besson H-5 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Besson H-5 circa 1922 | |
| Role | Transport flying-boat |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Marcel Besson |
| First flight | 1922 |
| Number built | 1 |
The Besson H-5 (or sometimes Besson MB-11) was a French transport quadruplane flying boat designed by the Marcel Besson company of Boulogne.[1] The only H-5 was damaged and development was abandoned.[1]
The HB.5 (MB-10) originally started development as an open-sea reconnaissance/bombing flying-boat, but it was completed as a 20-seat passenger transport flying-boat.[1] Described as grotesque it had two sets of staggered biplane wings with an unusual X-type bracing and a biplane tail with triple fins and rudders.[1] Powered by four Salmson 9Z radial engines that were located in tandem pairs in line with the third mainplane.[2] The H-5 had a conventional fuselage on a three-ply mahogany boat hull, which had 24 watertight compartments.[2]
The H-5 was tested from the St Raphael naval air station in 1922 and proved to be stable with little vibration.[1] After a few test flights the H-5 was accidentally damaged and development was abandoned.[1]
Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft,[1] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1924[3]
General characteristics
Performance