A Giant of Early Aviation
On June 30, 1922 (though some sources indicate June 20), the prototype of the Breguet Br.XX Leviathan passenger aircraft made its maiden flight. It earned its name due to its impressive dimensions: a fuselage length of 15 meters and a wingspan of 25 meters.
The cabin could accommodate 20 passengers, making the “Leviathan” one of the most capacious airliners of its time. The crew consisted of three individuals: two pilots and a mechanic.
Innovative Engineering and Safety Features
Outwardly, the aircraft appeared to be single-engined. However, its propulsion system actually comprised two U-shaped, eight-cylinder Breguet Bugatti 32A engines, each delivering 450 horsepower. These engines worked through a common gearbox, driving a single four-bladed propeller with a diameter of 4.4 meters.
The power unit was positioned in the forward section of the voluminous fuselage. Adjacent to it was the mechanic’s workstation, allowing them to perform adjustments and rectify minor malfunctions, such as changing fouled spark plugs, directly during flight. Furthermore, if one of the two engines shut down, the aircraft could continue flying on the remaining one for some time. This feature provided pilots with the crucial ability to locate a suitable site for an emergency landing.
Market Challenges for a Pioneer Aircraft
During trials, the aircraft demonstrated respectable flight performance, achieving a maximum speed of 190 km/h and a cruising speed of 175 km/h, with a full-load range of 1600 km. Despite this, the aircraft found no buyers.
In the early 1920s, passenger air travel was still a novelty, and few individuals were willing to undertake long-distance flights. Consequently, airline owners deemed the “Leviathan’s” 20-passenger capacity excessive, as “airliners” designed for 6-10 passengers were far more in demand. Furthermore, due to its duralumin construction, the aircraft proved to be quite expensive, and its unconventional power plant also raised concerns among potential operators.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Br.2 0 |
| Wingspan, m | 25.54 |
| Length, m | 14.02 |
| Wing area, m2 | 140.00 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 6300 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Breguet Bugatti 32A |
| Power, hp | 1 x 900 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 190 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 175 |
| Practical range, km | 1600 |
| Service ceiling, m | 5000 |
| Crew | 3 crew |
| Payload | 20 passengers |
Image and diagram gallery of the Breguet Br.XX Leviathan
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