Bernard H.V.120 1930

Information

The Bernard H.V.120 was a 1930s French racing seaplane designed and built by Bernard to compete in the Schneider Trophy race. Delays caused by engine problems and the crash of the second aircraft delayed entry and the aircraft did not race in the competition.

Design and development
The H.V.120 was a wooden single-seat mid-wing cantilever monoplane with twin floats and powered by a 1,680 hp (1,253 kW) Hispano Suiza 18R W-18 piston engine. The first H.V.120 flew for the first time at Hourtin on 25 March 1930. Development was delayed due to engine problems, as well as technical issues; due to the weight of the engine its mount and the forward fuselage had to be re-designed. The first aircraft had a three-bladed propeller but the second had a four-bladed Chauvière propeller. The second aircraft crashed into the water on its first flight in July 1931, killing the pilot. In 1933 the prototype was converted into a racing landplane as the Bernard V.4.

The V.4 had widely spaced main landing gear with streamlined wheel spats. It was moved to Istres in December 1933 to try to achieve a French Air Ministry prize for a French aircraft to beat the world speed record before January 1934. It was due to make an attempt to fly on 27 December 1933 but strong winds kept the aircraft grounded. Further attempts in February 1934 to fly were thwarted by engine problems and lack of government finance. The project was abandoned without the aircraft have flown.

Variants

H.V.120-01
Prototype, first flew 25 March 1930 had a direct drive three-bladed propeller.
H.V.120-02
Fatal crash on first flight in July 1931, had a reduction gear to drive a four-bladed propeller
V.4
Prototype H.V.120 re-built as a landplane in 1933 with a 1,125 hp (839 kW) Hispano-Suiza 18Sb engine and shorter span wings, not flown.
Specifications (H.V.120-01)

Bernard H.V.120 02 plan
Data from Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 8.24 m (27 ft 0 in)
Wingspan: 8.65 m (28 ft 5 in)
Height: 3.60 m (11 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 11.00 m2 (118.4 sq ft)
Max takeoff weight: 2,100 kg (4,630 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Hispano Suiza 18R W-18 inline piston engine, 1,253 kW (1,680 hp)
Propellers: 3-bladed

Performance