Paul Cornu

Paul Cornu ( born June 15, 1881 in Glos -la -Ferriere, Orne, France, † June 6, 1944 in Lisieux ) was a French engineer, who actually produced bicycles.

Cornu developed the world's first manned helicopter Cornu No. 2, flying bicycle called. In the first flight on 13 November 1907 in Lisieux, he reached a height of about 30 cm and 20 seconds of flight time.

The 260 kg heavy helicopter was driven here by a V8 petrol engine with 24 hp Antoinette Société power that drove two counter-rotating blades on a central axis by means of straps. This construction, in which the torques of the two rotors compensate was later used as a tandem configuration with a number of helicopters.

However, the flying bicycle proved to be not controllable and so it was abandoned after a few flights.

Previously, it had another French helicopter Bréguet - Richet I managed to stand out by its own power - as it was but held by men on the ground in position applies Cornus flight as the first free flight of a helicopter.

Cornu died on 6 June 1944, when his house was during the bombardment of the Normandy landings, Operation Overlord, destroyed.

Replica

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the first flight by Paul Cornu on 13 November 2007 An actual-size, but not airworthy, replica of the Cornu was finished No. 2 and included in the permanent collection of the Museum Helicopter Museum Biickeburg.

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