The Visionary René Couzinet
René Couzinet, a French designer born in Vendée in 1904, showed a keen interest in aircraft design from a young age. By the age of 23, he had already constructed his first aircraft. This groundbreaking machine was the Couzinet 10 Arc en Ciel, marking the beginning of his notable “Arc-en-Ciel” aircraft series.
Design and Initial Challenges
The Couzinet 10 Arc en Ciel was a four-seater wooden low-wing monoplane, powered by three Hispano-Suiza 8Ac engines, each delivering 180 hp. Despite incorporating numerous innovative features in its design, Couzinet struggled to secure support from the French Aviation Ministry.
Tragedy and Redesign
The aircraft’s reputation suffered a significant blow following a catastrophic accident on August 8, 1928, over Orly airfield. This tragedy resulted in the deaths of pilot Maurice Drouhin, who succumbed to his injuries two days later, and his mechanic André Lanet. Following a thorough investigation of the incident, Couzinet decided to redesign the aircraft, leading to the development of the Couzinet 27, the second iteration of the “Arc-en-Ciel” family.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Couzinet 10 |
| Wingspan, m | 27. 00 |
| Length, m | 15. 45 |
| Height, m | 3. 90 |
| Wing area, m2 | 92. 75 |
| Empty weight | 4 200 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 9300 |
| Engine type | 3 Piston engine Hispano-Suiza 8Ac |
| Power, hp | 3 х 180 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 230 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 1 95 |
| Practical range, km | 3000 |
| Service ceiling, m | 6000 |
| Crew, crew | 4 |
Image gallery of the Couzinet 10 Arc en Ciel
