By the late 1920s, so-called “colonial aircraft” became popular in France. These were easy-to-maintain, multi-purpose aircraft intended for operation in the harsh and hot conditions of Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, where French colonies were located. In 1930, the Ministry of Aviation published a new specification for a colonial transport aircraft.
To meet these requirements, the company Société des Avions Bernard developed a project designated Bernard 160 Col 3. This aircraft represented an evolution of the Bernard 60T transport aircraft.
Design and Technical Specifications
The Bernard 160 was a seven-seater, all-metal high-wing monoplane. It was equipped with three seven-cylinder Gnome-Rhône 7Kb radial engines, each producing 300 hp (224 kW). As the aircraft was intended for use in potentially unstable colonies, it was armed with a defensive fuselage-mounted firing point.
Testing and Project Termination
The Bernard 160 made its first flight in April 1932. Three months later, a second prototype, the Bernard 161, was manufactured. It differed only in its power plant, which consisted of three nine-cylinder Lorraine 9Na Algol engines of the same power. Both aircraft were submitted to STIAé for official testing.
During the tests, shortcomings were identified, and the aircraft was repeatedly returned to the company for modifications. Development continued until the summer of 1934, when, following an accident during further trials, the project was closed. This decision was made because the Ministry of Aviation had revised its views on colonial aircraft.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Bernard 160 |
| Wingspan, m | 22.00 |
| Length, m | 15.77 |
| Height, m | 4.05 |
| Wing area, m2 | 67.60 |
| Empty weight | 4087 |
| Normal takeoff weight | 5470 |
| Engine type | 3 Piston engines Gnome & Rhone 7Kb |
| Power, hp | 3 x 300 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 240 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 220 |
| Practical range, km | 900 |
| Service ceiling, m | 5450 |
| Crew, crew | 2 |
| Payload | up to 5 passengers |
| Armament | possible installation of one machine gun on a movable turret |
Image and diagram gallery of the Bernard 160
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