Clément-Bayard No.2

No.2
Role	Military airship
Manufacturer	Clément-Bayard
First flight	10 April 1910
Number built	1

The Clément-Bayard No.2 was a French military airship of 1910, developed by automobile manufacturer Clément-Bayard. Unlike their previous design, this aircraft was designed and built entirely by the firm itself. On 7 September 1910, the airship was used to make the first aerial wireless communications, sending and receiving messages to the Eiffel Tower with a 65 kg (143 lb) transmitter carried aboard.

The No.2 was offered for sale to the French Army, at FF 200,000 (less than half the price of No.1), but was again rejected as too expensive. It was next offered to sale to the UK, and on 16 October Maurice Clément himself piloted it across the English Channel, completing the 390 km (240 mi) flight between Breuil and Wormwood Scrubs in a little under 6 hours, and carrying 6 passengers. After arrival, it was purchased by The Daily Mail newspaper in England for ₤GBP 16,000 (around FF 150,000) in order to present to the British government. However, after deflation to transport to another airship base, it was damaged during ground transit so extensively that it was judged beyond repair and never flew again.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Length: 76.50 m (251 ft 0 in)
• Diameter: 13.22 m (43 ft 5 in)
• Volume: 7,000 m³ (247,200 ft³)
• Powerplant: 2 × Clément-Bayard, 90 kW (120 hp) each

Performance

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. 
• hydroretro.net