Dorand G20 naval helicopter, 1938

[covert_shores]

Fascinating sleek design, called a gyroplane at the time. Intended for ASW then, I think reality struck and it became a scout/spotter. But development slowed due to war and it never flew. Prototype ground tested after war. Generally said to have been intended for use aboard Surcouf (http://www.hisutton.com/Surcouf.html)

Apologies if there is already a thread (?)

 

[Deltafan]

The only things that I know online about the Dorand G20 :

Modelstories

Modelstories, avions & maquettes.<br>Modelstories, kits & planes

modelarchives.free.fr

 

[WJPearce]

For what it is worth, linked below is my write-up on the Dorand G20.

Dorand Gyroplane G.20 (G.II)

Designed by Frenchman René Dorand, the G.20 was a very streamlined and advanced helicopter powered by two Renault engines. Delayed because of WWII, the G.20 was finished in 1947 but never flown.

oldmachinepress.com

 

[avion ancien]

Thank you. That made very interesting reading.

 

[patvig]

Dorand is the name of the engineer who studied the G20 for Breguet.

 

[covert_shores]

For what it is worth, linked below is my write-up on the Dorand G20.

https://oldmachinepress.com/2015/03/28/dorand-gyroplane-g-20-g-ii/

Excellent, thanks. Was useful during my research.

 

[airman]

http://www.hisutton.com/G20_Gyroplane.html - an article in Hisutton : the first anti-submarine helicopter .

 

[Fairahy]

Hello,

Given the almost total absence of photos of this helicopter, I tried to model it in 3D as close as possible to what it would have looked like :

Helicopter - Gyroplane G.20 - 3D model by Savinien B. (@SavinienBerault)

1947 Helicopter, by René Dorand. He was originally intended to be embarked aboard the submarine “Surcouf”. The war slowed down the work, so much so that it was completed too late : the war was over, the Surcouf had already sunk, and the helicopter was technically outdated. Tests were carried...

skfb.ly

It's not perfect, but with the few photos we have on the web, it should give a good idea of the appearance of the beast.
It's really a shame that we don't have more information and images about it. If you have additional data I'll be happy to update the model !

 

[yasotay]

One can only imagine where the rotorcraft industry might be today had this very advanced helicopter had been pursued.