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WVU? we N —— SSN Ze Ali a iw, J oo | SS CZ Ae Ll ZUTIIASS ISS = oe SO i- WS = (iene naN —- r | ZR = designs. However, it was no longer possible to buy aviation components from France, which was now under German occupation, so Couzinet tried to obtain engines and parts from America. Unfortunately the supply stopped when America entered the war and there were further problems when he was banned from entering America. Then Couzinet managed to upset the Free French! For the remainder of the War Couzinet’s company manufactured gas generators and engineering equipment, although he still found time to design new aircraft and develop a small seaplane. Couzinet was clearly something of a rebel and fought a long-term campaign against members of the French aeronautical estab- lishment, which he ultimately lost. After the war he began to consider the concept of hydrofoils and then a VTOL flying disc, spurred along by media interest in flying saucers. Hav- ing re-established himself in France, Couzinet began work on a VTOL Aerodyne flying disc during the early 1950s and filed patents in France during May 1955. Knownas the RC.360, Couzinet built a 3/5th-scale model of his design at the Levallois-Perret factory. Completed by autumn 1955, the Aerodyne model was unveiled to the World’s press. It was a 29ft (8.84m) diameter (Silver Bug- sized) aircraft supported on a tricycle under- carriage, with a centrally positioned cockpit that was covered by a dome shaped trans- parency. The system of propulsion was expected to be three 180hp (134kW) piston engines driving two contra-rotating discs fit- ted with ninety-seven peripheral blades. This was planned to provide enough lift for full VTOL operation and create gyroscopic stabil- ity, while a Palas gas turbine carried in a pod on the underside of the craft would be used for forward flight. Flight control would be achieved with three control surfaces and by swivelling the jet engine. While Couzinet insisted that his Aerodyne was only an engi- neering mock-up, it was reported that the vehicle was largely functional. Two Lycoming internal combustion engines were installed and these were used to drive the rotors at 80rpm during static test runs. 97 Above: Couzinet Aerodyne scale model, planform drawing. via Bill Rose Top right: A cross-section drawing of the Couzinet scale demonstration model. via Bill Rose Right: An unretouched drawing of the proposed R.360 Aerodyne. US Patent Office Lower right: Drawing showing side view of the Couzinet RC.360 Aerodyne. US Patent Office Wooden scale model of the RC.360 flying saucer built for René Couzinet. via Bill Rose Postwar Discplane Development