Arsenal VG 90

The Arsenal VG 90 was a carrier-based fighter aircraft built in France in 1949, but which was not developed past the prototype stage. It was to compete against the SNCAC NC 1080 and Nord N.2200 for an Aéronavale contract, but both VG 90 prototypes were destroyed in fatal crashes early in the development programme. The first crash occurred on 25 May 1950, when an undercarriage door tore off in flight and struck the aircraft's tail. Pilot Pierre Decroo was killed in the crash. The second crash claimed the life of pilot Claude Dellys and took place on 21 February 1952 after the tail of the aircraft was torn off due to aerodynamic flutter. Dellys' ejection seat malfunctioned and did not fire. A third prototype, then under construction, was abandoned at this juncture.

VG 90
Role Prototype carrier-based fighter
Manufacturer Arsenal de l'Aéronautique
First flight 27 September 1949
Number built 2

The VG 90 had a similar configuration to Arsenal's VG 70 and VG 80 research aircraft, with a high wing and all-swept flying surfaces. The intakes were mounted on the fuselage sides.

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Length: 13.44 m (44 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 12.60 m (41 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 3.55 m (11 ft 8 in)
  • Wing area: 30.7 m2 (330 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 5,100 kg (11,250 lb)
  • Gross weight: 8,090 kg (17,840 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza-built Rolls-Royce Nene , 22.2 kN (5,000 lbf) thrust

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 920 km/h (570 mph, 500 kn)
  • Range: 1,550 km (960 mi, 830 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 13,000 m (42,640 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 23 m/s (4,500 ft/min)

Armament

  • 3 × 30 mm cannons
  • 2 × 500 kg (1,100 lb) bombs

References
  • Buttler, Tony (2015). X-Planes of Europe. II: Military Prototype Aircraft from the Golden Age 1946–1974. Manchester, UK: Hikoki Publications. ISBN 978-1-90210-948-0.
  • Carbonel, Jean-Christophe (2016). French Secret Projects. 1: Post War Fighters. Manchester, UK: Crecy Publishing. ISBN 978-1-91080-900-6.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 81.

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