In 1928, Société des Avions Bernard released the Bernard 191T transport aircraft, a modified variant of the Bernard 190T, equipped with a 600 hp Hispano-Suiza 12Lb engine. As it failed to attract customers, and following the company’s tradition, it was decided to build the record-breaking Bernard 191GR (Grand Raid) based on it.
A total of three such aircraft were produced. The first, Bernard 191GR No.1 “France,” made its maiden flight in April 1928. It was specifically designed to break long-distance flight records. However, it crashed on July 7, 1929, during an attempt to cross the North Atlantic, taking the life of pilot Louis Coudouret.
Pioneering Transatlantic Flights
The second aircraft, Bernard 191GR No.2, first flew on August 5, 1928. It was entirely painted yellow and named “Oiseau Canari” (Canary Bird). In September 1928, military pilot Jean Assollant used this aircraft in an unsuccessful attempt to cross the South Atlantic from east to west. However, on June 13, 1929, he completed the first North Atlantic crossing by a French aircraft with a French crew, a flight that lasted 29 hours and 52 minutes.
World Records in Payload and Speed
The last, third, Bernard 191GR No.3, piloted by Antoine Paillard, set two world records in November and December 1928. These included carrying a 2000 kg payload over 100 km at an average speed of 223.546 km/h, and a speed record for carrying a 1000 kg payload over 1000 km. This was the last Bernard 191 built, and its career ended with a forced landing in January 1929.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Bernard 191GR |
| Wingspan, m | 17.30 |
| Length, m | 12.80 |
| Height, m | 3.90 |
| Wing area, m2 | 42.90 |
| Empty weight | 2420 |
| Normal takeoff weight | 5780 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Hispano-Suiza 12Lb |
| Power, hp | 1 x 600 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 245 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 205 |
| Practical range, km | 5400 |
| Practical ceiling, m | 5000 |
| Crew | 3 |
Image and diagram gallery of the Bernard 191GR
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 Bernard 19 |
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