Fauvel AV-2 / Guerchais flying wing (1932)

[Stargazer]

From Popular Aviation, March 1937:

In 1932, France came through with the most beautifully streamlined of all the Flying Wings which had thus far been constructed. The "Guerchais Wing," designed and built by Louis Guerchais under the Fauvel patents, boasted fully retractable landing gear, and a cabin which faired smoothly into the deep wing. The motor, a 20 h.p. Goiot, was mounted on four struts above the cabin. All the objectionable features of the Fauvel patents were discarded, leaving a very praiseworthy ship.

The wing span of this machine was 33 ft. with an area of 215 sq. ft. Her total length was 11½ ft. including the rudimentary tail, and she stood 6 ft. 3 in. high, exclusive of the motor.

In contrast to the usual custom, the "Guerchais" had its ailerons on the leading edge, after the fashion of the wing slots.

Although a speed range of from 25 to 80 m.p.h. and a ceiling of 17,000 ft. was claimed, this snappy little plane did not create much of a furore in aviation circles. So it is surmised that unforeseen difficulties arose, probably in the matter of control, since any plane which could attain 80 m.p.h. on a 20 h.p. motor would receive plenty of attention if everything else was right.

Although it is pretty obvious the "Guerchais Wing" never flew, the Survol website gives quite a different version of the story... Was the AV-2 a Guerchais design, or a Fauvel project? Popular press of the time certainly presented it as a Guerchais, but later historians make it a Fauvel...

Following his observations at Vauville in the twenties, Charles Fauvel decided, after fling for patent with his "flying wing" formula, to start work on a prototype incorporating the various theories he had elaborated. Thus was born the AV-2 (AV for "aile volante", or flying wing) — the AV-1 being a laboratory model meant to study the shape. Construction of the AV-2 began some time in the middle of 1932, and was performed by the Guerchais firm. Endowed with a freestanding profile developed by Georges Abrial, the aircraft was aimed at both motor-glider and glider enthusiasts. The engine, which was mounted on a pylone on the fuselage's spine, could be disassembled in minutes to turn the aircraft into a glider.
The bankruptcy of the Guerchais company, coupled with the end of financial backing from its main sponsor, the Makhonine company, slowed down development on the machine, which was never completed.

Attached are pictures from the Survol website, as well as the full-page feature and related cover from the September 1932 issue of Popular Aviation.

 

[Grey Havoc]

On the other hand, further development might have been fustrated by the ungodly mess that was the french Air Ministry.

 

[Stargazer]

Enter... Caudron! The famous manufacturer also took an active part in the AV-2 story... which may have made a few hops after all...

From a late 1950s issue of Aviation Magazine:

The aerodynamic laboratory at Saint-Cyr received in 1929 a mockup from Mr. Fauvel, French flying wing (tailless aircraft) pioneer for test purposes. Early in 1930, a small demonstration aircraft was studied and the project presented to the CEPANA. Created jointly with Louis Peyret, the Fauvel AV-2 could fly both as a pure glider or as a light aircraft. Indeed, the engine mount was removable and placed above the single-seat cockpit. The "aircraft" version was eventually retained and work began on the prototype, thanks to a contract with the Makhonine fuel company, with construction entrusted to the Guerchais worshops at Saint-Cloud.

The choice of engine was made late in 1932, using an ABC Scorpion. The Saint-Cloud workshop then closed doors, and after a several months wait, the market was transfered to the Caudron firm, which completed the aircraft late in 1933 at their Issy-les-Moulineaux factory.

The experimental AV-2 was extensively tested by its creator Charles Fauvel, who continued its development at Guyancourt even after 1934. Construction was all-wood, covered with plywood ahead of the longeron, then aft of the longeron with fabric. The engine activated a wooden two-blade propeller in pusher mode. The landing gear comprised two semi-retracted wheels at the front and a tail skid. Further studies by Fauvel resulted in more flying wings, including the famous postwar AV-36, produced in large numbers and even built by flying club workshops.

 

[Retrofit]

Although it is pretty obvious the "Guerchais Wing" never flew, the Survol website gives quite a different version of the story... Was the AV-2 a Guerchais design, or a Fauvel project? Popular press of the time certainly presented it as a Guerchais, but later historians make it a Fauvel...

The AV-2 was a Fauvel design (with Peyret's help, as for the AV-1) and was subject to a small construction contrat from the French Air ministry. Construction was first started at the Ateliers Guerchais then "finished" by Caudron.
The aircraft did fly, at least twice.

 

[Boyington]

FAUVEL AV-2 French flying wing (motor glider)