Flight, April 1934

A NEW LIGHT PLANE RECORD

   NEW 100-km International Speed Record for light two-seater planes, weighing less than 560 kg (1,235 lb.) empty was established on the Etampes-la Marmogne course on March 31 last. Flying a new Caudron two-seater, low wing, "sport" monoplane, Raymond Delmotte, the Chief Pilot of that firm, accompanied by his mechanic, covered the course of 100 km (62 1/2 miles) in 20 min. 22 sec. at an average speed of 292 km/hr (181.4 m.p.h.), thus surpassing the existing international record of 269 1/2 km/hr (167 1/2 m.p.h.) made only on March 22 last by the Americans, Wright and Karl, who flew a "Monocoupe" monoplane (Warner "Scarab").
   The Caudron plane flown by Delmotte in establishing this new record was a machine that had just been completed and had only been undergoing its trial tests for about a week. It is derived from the single-seater machines built especially to compete in the Deutsch Cup Race and is of wooden construction throughout. The plane was equipped with a Renault "Bengali" 4-cylinder in line, inverted, air-cooled engine of 6,3 litres (385 cu. in.) cylinder displacement similar to the engine that was mounted on the Caudron single-seater plane that finished second in last year's Deutsch Cup Contest. This engine is rated at 130 h.p. with a maximum of 150 h.p. It was equipped in this recent record-making flight with a Ratier variable pitch propeller, adjustable in flight.
   The main data concerning the new Caudron monoplane are as follows: Length o.a., 7,1 tn (23 ft. 4 in.); wing span, 7,70 m (25 ft. 3 in.); wing area, 9 m" (98 sq. ft.); tare weight, 480 kg (1,058 lb.); fuel and oil, 130 kg (287 lb.); pilot and passenger, 180 kg (397 lb.); luggage 30 kg (66 lb.); gross weight, 820 kg (1,808 lb.); wing loading 90 kg/m2 (18.4 lb./sq. ft.); power loading, 6,3 kg (13.8 lb. per h.p.); max. speed, 305 km/hr (189.5 m.p.h.); cruising speed, 270 km/hr (168 m.p.h.); landing speed, 95 km/hr (59 m.p.h.).