| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | 01 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Snecma C.450 Coléoptère |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Snecma C.450 Coléoptère |
| Aircraft Version: | Snecma C.450 Coléoptère |
| C/n (msn): | 01 |
| Operator Titles: | France - Air Force |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Melun - VillarocheMap |
| Country: | France |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: LFPM IATA: - Local: - Other: - |
| Photo Date: | 1 January 1958 to 25 July 1959 |
| Photo from: | AirHistory.net Photo Archive |
| Photo ID: | 671863 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
Yes, this is for real. The Coléoptère (beetle) was a tail-sitting VTOL aircraft with an annular or ring wing. The airframe was built by Nord but engine maker Snecma led the project. Test pilot Auguste Morel made eight successful flights without going into horizontal mode, but ejected on the ninth and the aircraft was destroyed. On another photo it wears code Y. Photo from: Safran This photo was added on 30 March 2024, and has since been viewed 1073 times. |