Astra-Torres
The Astra-Torres was a French airship design based on the work of Spanish inventor Leonardo Torres Quevedo.
The French exploited the invention of the Spaniard, Torres Quevedo, with the Astra Torres, in which the envelope was of a trilobe, or cloverleaf section, one lobe above and two below. The transverse shape was maintained by continuous longitudinal curtains which helped to give rigidity to the envelope. The suspension ropes entered the underside of the envelope through airtight joints on the centre line, branching out intoa smaller number of ropes which were attached to longitudinal ropes or strips in the angles between the upper and the lower lobe. In this system overall height was reduced to the minimum, as the attachments were near the top of the envelope and the minimum amount of rigging obstructed the movement of the airship.[1]
It's stated that Société de Constructions Aéronautiques bought Torres Quevedo's dirigible patents outside of Spain prior to constructing the Astra-Torres. That would imply they bought Patent FR-1907-382794 and possibly some of the four extensions filed thereto in 1909–1913.
(Alternately printed: Astra Torres, Astra-Torrès.)
| Name | Astra–Torres |
|---|---|
| Year constructed | 1911 |
| Creators | Société de Constructions Aéronautiques, Leonardo Torres Quevedo |
| Volume (m3) | 1590 |
| Length (m) | 47.7 |
| Diameter (m) | 8.4 |
| Height (m) | |
| Weight (kg) | 53 |
| Engine horsepower | 60 |
| Speed (km/h) | 53 |
| Keywords | tension-truss, Chenu engine, Patent FR-1907-382794 |
Source for specifications above: D'Orcy, 1917, p. 65. These pertain to the Astra-Torrès I, dated March 1911. "Best endurance: 3¼ hours."
Publications referring to Astra Torres or Astra-Torres
- Astra Torres, 1913, New French dirigible embodies new features (Simple title: New French dirigible embodies new features, Journal: Fly)
- González Redondo, 2008, Leonardo Torres Quevedo, 1902–1908 (Simple title: Leonardo Torres Quevedo, 1902–1908)
References
- ↑ Hartcup, 1974, pp. 23–24.
