The Roussel R-30 was a French light fighter-bomber prototype of the 1930s.

Roussel R-30
Role Fighter-bomber
National origin France
Designer Jacques Roussel
First flight August 1939
Number built 1 prototype

Design and development edit

Only one prototype, similar to the Bloch MB.150 but reduced in size and weight, was constructed in 1938 armed with two 20 mm (0.787 in) Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannons. Whilst being re-engined with a 600 kW (800 hp) power plant, the German invasion reached Paris. The airframe was transported to Bordeaux, where the sole R-30 was destroyed when the building it was being stored in was destroyed in a blaze.[1]

Specifications edit

Data from The Complete Book of Fighters[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 6.10 m (20 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 7.72 m (25 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 10 m2 (110 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,030 kg (2,271 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,768 kg (3,898 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Gnome-Rhône 14M-7 14-cyl air-cooled radial piston engine, 510 kW (690 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 520 km/h (320 mph, 280 kn) at 5,800 m (19,000 ft)
  • Range: 1,200 km (750 mi, 650 nmi)
  • Endurance: 2 hours
  • Rate of climb: 19 m/s (3,700 ft/min)

Armament

References edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (1994). The Complete Book of fighters. London: Salamander Books Limited. ISBN 1-85833-777-1.

Bibliography edit

  • Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (1994). The Complete Book of fighters. London: Salamander Books Limited. ISBN 1-85833-777-1.
  • William Green, Gordon Swanborough, The Great Book of Fighters, Motorbooks International 10/2006, ISBN 0760311943.