Borel-Odier Bo-T

The Borel-Odier Bo-T (also known as the Borel-Odier torpedo floatplane or B.O.2) was a French twin-engined float biplane designed by Borel but built by Antoine Odier for the French Navy.[1]

Bo.T
Role Torpedo-reconnaissance floatplane
National origin France
Manufacturer Antoine Odier
Design group Etablissements Borel
First flight 1916
Primary user French Navy
Number built 92

Design and development

The Bo-T was a biplane powered by two 164 kW (220 hp) Hispano-Suiza 8Ba inline piston engines and fitted with twin floats.[1] It had room under the fuselage for a torpedo.[1] The prototype was destroyed on the first flight in August 1916 but the French Navy still placed and order for 91 aircraft.[1] Deliveries did not start until 1917 and were stopped when the Armistice was signed.[1] Only a few aircraft saw operational use on coastal patrols in the mediterranean.[1]

In 1919 a ten-passenger transport variant was flown designated Bo-C/Bo.20 but it was destroyed during testing.[1]

Variants
Bo-T
Torpedo-reconnaissance floatplane
Bo-C
Ten-passenger transport variant of the Bo-T
Bo.19
Three-seat floatplane, powered by 400 hp Liberty engine; never built[2]

Operators
 France

Specifications (Bo-T)

Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft,[1] French aircraft of the First World War[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 4
  • Length: 11.23 m (36 ft 10 in)
  • Wingspan: 20 m (65 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 3.93 m (12 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 80 m2 (860 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,200 kg (2,646 lb)
  • Gross weight: 2,400 kg (5,291 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Hispano-Suiza 8Ba V-8 water-cooled piston engines, 160 kW (220 hp) each
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 124 km/h (77 mph, 67 kn) at sea level
  • Range: 520 km (320 mi, 280 nmi)

Armament

  • Guns: 2x 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Lewis machine guns on flexible mounts in front an rear cockpits
  • Bombs: 1 × 650 kg (1,430 lb) Torpedo

See also

Related lists

References
  1. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. p. 833.
  2. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/borel-designations.31755/
  3. Davilla, Dr. James J.; Soltan, Arthur M. French aircraft of the First World War. Flying Machines Press. pp. 77–78. ISBN 1891268090.

Bibliography
  • Cortet, Pierre (December 2001). "Rétros du Mois" [Retros of the Month]. Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (105): 7. ISSN 1243-8650.
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