Breguet Br.XXI

Initial Development and Exhibition

In 1922, Louis Breguet’s company design bureau, on its own initiative, began designing a heavy bomber for the French Air Force. The aircraft, designated Breguet Br.XXI, was a modification of the Br.XX Leviathan transport aircraft.

By the 1922 Paris Air Show, they had not managed to complete the bomber, so they exhibited a fuselage without skinning, but with the power plant installed.

Technical Features and Armament

The aircraft prototype was only able to fly at the end of the year. It was a four-seat, three-bay biplane. Its power plant consisted of four Breguet Bugatti engines, each with 250 horsepower, working through a common gearbox to a single four-bladed propeller.

The bomber could carry up to 2000 bombs and was equipped with six machine guns, installed in three defensive mounts.

Testing and Final Fate

During testing, the aircraft showed low flight characteristics, and there were many problems with the power plant. As a result, the bomber was dismantled at the beginning of the following year.

Technical Specifications

Modification	Br.XXI
Wingspan, m	25.53
Length, m	14.02
Height, m	5.14
Wing area, m2	134.70
Empty weight	3400
Takeoff weight	6500
Engine type	4 Breguet Bugatti Piston engines
Power, hp	4 x 250
Maximum speed, km/h	180
Cruising speed, km/h	160
Service ceiling, m	4500
Crew	4 crew
Armament	six machine guns in three firing positions, bombs with a total weight of up to 2000 kg

Image and diagram gallery of the Breguet Br.XXI

Br.XXI	Br.XXI
Br.XXI	Br.XXI