Nord 1500 Griffon

The Nord 1500 Griffon was a French experimental aircraft with a mixed propulsion of jet and ramjet. The machine had its maiden flight in 1955. An improved version of the Griffon ( North 1500-02 Griffon II ) presented towards the end of the 1950s, more speed and climb performance records. For the further development to a fight - or reconnaissance aircraft, it never came.

History

When already at the end of the Second World War looming transition to jet-propelled aircraft, the engineers were often confronted with the problem of under- engine combat aircraft. When the French Air Ministry demanded the early 1950s for the Armée de l'Air fast interceptors to defend against possible supersonic bomber, was set at Nord Aviation to the powerful ramjet, which, however, had the disadvantage at low speeds almost no thrust to deliver. This disadvantage should be avoided by the machine received a mixed drive with a turbojet for takeoff and landing as well as a ramjet engine for the cruise. The turbojet was there, installed within the North ramjet tube, which had a diameter of 1.37 m.

The first flight of the prototype took place with the test pilot André Turcat on 20 September 1955. Until April 1957 was followed by more than 150 flights, then the machine was scrapped.

Nord 1500-02 Griffon II

The second prototype differed from the first through the paneled canopy, an enlarged air intake, and the absence of the small stabilizing fins at the rear. The second machine was launched on 23 January 1957. The drive system ran without problems, but is still too small air inlet limited the performance.

End of the program

Especially because of problems with the thrust control of the ramjet - the pilot had practically only the choice between full and do not push - the project was abandoned. The Griffon II had completed about 200 flights without the problems would have been solved. For the development of the Mach -3 -capable Super Griffon did not happen anymore. Jets without mixing drive had already been decided at this time competition for themselves.

Construction

Griffon which essentially consists of a cylindrical body, which includes the two combined engines, and a large part of the fuel. The cockpit is disposed above the air inlet. The machine has a swept delta wing by 60 ° and combined transverse and elevator. Below the cockpit there were two delta-shaped trim surfaces that gave the aircraft even at supersonic speed ducks Aircraft Features.

Use

After further modifications, the Griffon reached Mach 1.85 in a climb almost incredible values ​​. In February 1957, the machine on several climbing performance records, so she needed, for example, one minute and 41 seconds to rise from zero to 9000 m.

At the latest after André Turcat in February completed a 100 -km flight with an average speed of 1643 km / h and thus set a new world record, the Griffon II was also known outside of Europe. On 5 October 1960, the Griffon reached its absolute peak at 2.19 times the speed of sound.

Aircraft received

The Nord 1500-02 Griffon II is on display at the Musée de l'Air et de l' Espace.

Specifications

And a ramjet North Stato - Réacteur with 68.0 kN ( 7000 kgf )

Comparable types

  • United Kingdom United Kingdom: Avro 720
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom: Saunders -Roe SR.53
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom: Saunders -Roe SR.177
  • United States 48 United States: XF -91 Thunderceptor
France Fighter aircraft SNECMA Atar Saunders-Roe SR.53 Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor
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