The Bernard 18 was a prototype airliner developed in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

in the 1920s. One of the two prototypes built was used in an abortive transatlantic crossing attempt and a number of failed attempts for aerial records.

Development

The aircraft was originally developed in response to a specification for CIDNA for an eight-seat airliner, but the second incarnation of Bernard's aircraft manufacturing company went bankrupt before production could take place. When the company was revived in

1927 Events January * January 1 – The British Broadcasting ''Company'' becomes the British Broadcasting ''Corporation'', when its Royal Charter of incorporation takes effect. John Reith becomes the first Director-General. * January 7 ...

, it built a second example specifically for

Paul Tarascon Colonel Paul Albert Pierre Tarascon (8 December 1882 – 11 June 1977) was a World War I flying ace. Despite the handicap of an amputated foot, he was credited with twelve confirmed and ten probable victories in aerial combat. He also served in Wo ...

to make an attempt at the

Orteig Prize The Orteig Prize was a reward offered to the first Allied aviator(s) to fly non-stop from New York City to Paris or vice versa.Bak. Pages 28 and 29. Several famous aviators made unsuccessful attempts at the New York–Paris flight before the rel ...

. The space originally reserved for passenger seating was filled with fuel tanks to give the plane an expected range of . It was also fitted with undercarriage that could be jettisoned after takeoff to save weight. Designated 18GR (for ''Grand Raid'') and christened ''Oiseau Tango'' ("Tango Bird", after its bright yellow colour, intended to assist rescue efforts in case of a ditching), it was discovered that with the necessary fuel load, the aircraft could not actually become airborne. After

Charles Lindbergh Charles Augustus Lindbergh (February 4, 1902 – August 26, 1974) was an American aviator, military officer, author, inventor, and activist. On May 20–21, 1927, Lindbergh made the first nonstop flight from New York City to Paris, a distance o ...

successfully claimed the prize, the 18GR was converted back to standard 18T configuration and sold to an operator in Canada.

Variants

* 18T * 18GR

Specifications (18T)

References

Bibliography

* *

External links

aviafrance.com
*
Les avions de record français (1928-1932)
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