René Couzinet


Couzinet refined RC 360 V/STOL mock-up


RC 360
"flying saucer"		 Lift + Cruise
Couzinet initial RC 360 V/STOL model Start of design in 1952. A wooden mock up was built, but the project ended in December 1956 with the death of René Couzinet. The initial design had a top-mounted turbojet engine as well as two vertical fins on the upper and lower surfaces. The improved version used the same basic principle as the original, which was two coaxial counter-rotating disks. Around the periphery of the disks were 50 variable vanes (up from 48 in the original) that directed the thrust for vertical and lateral motion. Couzinet reportedly conducted preliminary wind tunnel testing and promised to have it ready to fly in April 1957. His death was apparently brought on by over working. Couzinet initial RC 360 V/STOL model
  • Lift Power: 6 x Lycoming 134 kW (180 hp) each
  • Cruise Power: Marcel Dassault Viper
  • Diameter: 13.6 m (44.6 ft)
  • Wing Area: 60 m² (645.6 ft²)
  • Empty Weight: 4,490 kg (9,900 lb)
  • Useful Weight: 8,980 kg (19,800 lb)
  • Gross Weight: 12,565 kg (27,700 lb)
Couzinet refined RC 360 V/STOL mock-up
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    Sources:
  • The V/STOL Encyclopedia Series: Volume 2 France 10 December 2002.
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