More on that Weird 1915 Gyroptere

Papin Rouilly Gyroptère

http://modelbox.free.fr/photoscopes/Papin_Phot/PR_treteaux.JPG
http://modelbox.free.fr/photoscopes/Papin_Phot/PR_hangar1.JPG
http://modelbox.free.fr/photoscopes/Papin_Phot/PR_misalo.JPG
http://modelbox.free.fr/photoscopes/Papin_Phot/PR_embarc_face.JPG
http://modelbox.free.fr/photoscopes/Papin_Phot/PR_lac_face.JPG

Failure to Take-off:
http://modelbox.free.fr/photoscopes/Papin_Phot/PR_takeoff.JPG

* all photos belong to creators and published in "Life & Science"

This curious apparatus, proof that original aeronautical creations are
not the prerogative of the German engineers, was designed in 1913-1914
by MISTERS Papin and Rouilly while taking as a starting point the
maple seed. Delayed due to war of 1914, the tests took place only in
Spring 1915 on a lake close to Pouilly in Auxois. The balance of the
apparatus, which could not have been established by construction
obliged to ballast it (!) and the apparatus under-was motorized
because the engine of 100 CV envisaged in the beginning could not have
been obtained and only a 80CV had been installed. Because of the
difficult adjustment of weight, the apparatus could reach only 47
turns/minute and not the 60 turns/minutes calculated for the take-off.
At this time the lift-off was about 350 Kgs (estimated on the basis of
concentric circle painted under the float, more one saw circles, more
the apparatus déjaugeait). The machine weighing 600 Kgs could not thus
take off.
A second apparatus, simplified, was planned for 1917 but was not
built, just as the projects of post-war period of the two inventors.
Original Gyroptère was reinforced in 1919.

- JC Carbonel/Modelstories 2002

Rob

p.s. This is only one "Gyroptere"- the other was Michel Wibault's
proposal that led to the Kestrel... and Harrier

.