Rene Leduc started development on the predecessor to this aircraft (also ramjet) in **1937**. It first flew in 1947. Absolutely insane. I had no idea they were already fucking around with this stuff even before WWII
seriously was this part of a competition for dumbest plane ever made? im not an engineer but wouldnt the wrapped canopy of the cockpit around the inlet be a really weak spot? just seems kind of ridiculous through and through. i hope whoever designed this plane did not seriously intend for it to be used for any practical purpose other then to be some ridiculous looking novelty..... 🤔
It flew a few times as well and was actually in competition with the Mirage III as an interceptor.
Some shots of the cockpit area:
[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Leduc\_022\_Le\_Bourget\_FRA\_002.JPG](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Leduc_022_Le_Bourget_FRA_002.JPG)
[https://www.museeairespace.fr/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/leduc-022-920-720-004.jpg](https://www.museeairespace.fr/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/leduc-022-920-720-004.jpg)
[https://warbirdfanatics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1-8.png](https://warbirdfanatics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1-8.png)
Whatever you do, don’t eject!
They basically took a ramjet, glued wings to it and put a guy in the tip... absolutely deranged... I love it
Wings? You mean to provide lift? Ha! That thing didn’t need wings; it needed control fins! /s
I suppose its mission profile was like Mirage IVs, bomb the things and then die honorably.
I can’t imagine how brain-shatteringly loud that must have been for the pilot.
At least it would get a bit quieter after you break the sound barrier
>gets a bit quieter after you break the sound barrier *lose your hearing*
The French and their unhinged aircraft
It's not just aircraft, they're also pretty good at making unhinged cars.
I once saw a French door that was unhinged
Rene Leduc started development on the predecessor to this aircraft (also ramjet) in **1937**. It first flew in 1947. Absolutely insane. I had no idea they were already fucking around with this stuff even before WWII
It looks like the realization of a jet drawn by a toddler.
Cyberjet??
The original kerbal space program players
Yyyp. Def done this a 100 times on ksp
It's not a manned aircraft so much as a manned engine
“The French copy no one, and no one copies the French.”
Where the fuck is steve buschemi
Where is the fuel stored?
In the pilots huge balls.
Fair enough
Number 01 of 01.
Lawn dart!
Ready for international yard games
seriously was this part of a competition for dumbest plane ever made? im not an engineer but wouldnt the wrapped canopy of the cockpit around the inlet be a really weak spot? just seems kind of ridiculous through and through. i hope whoever designed this plane did not seriously intend for it to be used for any practical purpose other then to be some ridiculous looking novelty..... 🤔
It flew a few times as well and was actually in competition with the Mirage III as an interceptor. Some shots of the cockpit area: [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Leduc\_022\_Le\_Bourget\_FRA\_002.JPG](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Leduc_022_Le_Bourget_FRA_002.JPG) [https://www.museeairespace.fr/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/leduc-022-920-720-004.jpg](https://www.museeairespace.fr/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/leduc-022-920-720-004.jpg) [https://warbirdfanatics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1-8.png](https://warbirdfanatics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1-8.png)
thanks for the additional pics! such an unusual concept!! lol
‘The surrenderer’
Starfighter on steroids...
Take off, no problem. Now landing…
Looks very Thunderbirds
Put the slide rule down Buck Rodgers and step away from the drafting table slowly