Astra Clément-Bayard
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation, Airship manufacturing |
| Founded | 1908 |
| Founder | Adolphe Clément-Bayard |
| Fate | Purchased by Citroën in 1922 |
| Headquarters | La Motte-Breuil , France |
| Products | Dirigibles (airships) |
Astra Clément-Bayard was a French company specializing in the production of dirigibles.
In 1908, French entrepreneur Adolphe Clément-Bayard, who had already achieved success in the automotive, motorcycle, and bicycle industries, expanded into aviation. His first initiative involved a lens-shaped airship designed by Louis Capazza, which ultimately was not constructed. Subsequently, he collaborated with Société Astra (Société Astra des Constructions Aéronautiques) to manufacture a traditional airship: Astra was responsible for producing the envelope, while Clément-Bayard managed the nacelle and propulsion system. Eventually, the firm began fabricating envelopes internally at a newly established facility in La Motte-Breuil, preparing for anticipated demands from the French military, which had recently commenced airship operations.
The Clément-Bayard No.1 was proposed to the French authorities but rejected due to its high cost; it was instead sold to Tsar Nicholas II for use by the Russian military.
In 1910, the Clément-Bayard No.2, flown by Maurice Clément-Bayard, achieved the milestone of being the first airship to cross the English Channel, covering more than in six hours. This success led to an order of three units from the French army.
In 1922, the company was purchased by Citroën.
The airship hangar located at La Motte-Breuil continues to be preserved by Clément-Talbot Ltd.
Clément-Bayard dirigibles
A total of seven Clément-Bayard airships were constructed:
- N° 1: measuring long and wide with a volume capacity of , equipped with two Clément-Bayard 115 hp engines. Maiden flight: 28 October 1908.
- N° 2: dimensions of long and wide, volume , powered by two Clément-Bayard 120 hp engines; maximum speed of 54 km/h. First flight: 1 June 1910.
- N° 3 Dupuy de Lôme: length , width , volume , driven by two Clément-Bayard 120 hp engines. First flight: 1 May 1912.
- N° 4 Adjudant Vincenot: length , width , volume , fitted with two Clément-Bayard 120 hp engines; top speed reaching 49 km/h. First flight: 1911.
- Modified Adj Vincenot: length , width , volume , powered by two Clément-Bayard 120 hp engines; top speed increased to 53 km/h. Maiden flight: 13 August 1913.
- N° 5 (delivered to Russia): length , width , volume , equipped with two Clément-Bayard 130 hp engines. First flight: 9 February 1913.
- Montgolfier: length , width , volume , driven by two Clément-Bayard 90 hp engines; reaching speeds up to 60 km/h. First flight: 31 July 1913.
See also
- Société Astra (Société Astra des Constructions Aéronautiques)