Aérospatiale Ludion
{{Refimprove|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = SA-610 Ludion
|image = Ludion musée du Bourget P1020082.JPG
|caption = The Ludion resting at the Musee d'L'Air, Le Bourget, Paris
|type = VTOL research aircraft
|national_origin = France
|manufacturer = Sud Aviation
Aérospatiale
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|first_flight = 1967
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The Sud Aviation/Aérospatiale SA-610 Ludion (Ludion - Cadet) is a tiny, unorthodox VTOL aircraft demonstrated at the 1967 Paris Air Show. It consisted of little more than a chair, behind which were mounted two downward-pointing augmented rocket engines with control provided by thrust vectoring. The Ludion was intended to carry its pilot and 30 kg (66 lb) of equipment up to 700 m (2,300 ft) at an altitude of up to 200 m (600 ft).
The unusual powerplant consisted of a monofuel de-composition chamber fed with pressurised isopropyl nitrate (AVPIN), ignited by a catalyst. The high pressure gasses produced in the de-composition chamber were fed to two augmentor tubes, built by Bertin, either side of the pilots seat, angled slightly outwards. As the gasses entered the augmentor tubes through rocket nozzles, thrust was augmented by inducing airflow through the ducts which acted as aero-thermo-dynamic ducts, due to the heat and kinetic energy added to the flow through the ducts, and the carefully shaped exhaust nozzles.
Specifications (SA-610 Ludion)
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?=met
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|crew=1
|capacity=payload {{convert|30|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}}
|length m=1.95
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|width m=1.485
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|height m=1.6
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|empty weight kg=90
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|gross weight kg=170
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|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=SEPR S178
|eng1 type=isopropyl nitrate (AVPIN) decomposition gas generator with augmentor tubes
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|ceiling m=700
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See also
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References
{{Reflist}}
- {{cite book |last= Taylor |first= Michael J. H. |title=Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation |year=1989 |publisher=Studio Editions |location=London |pages=38 }}
External links
{{commons category|Aérospatiale Ludion}}
- [http://pagesperso-orange.fr/jardin.secret/EcritsScientifiques/Inventions/PreProjHelicoAutonome.htm Description of the Ludion]
- [http://www.thunderman.net/history/aviation.php Another description of the Ludion]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_OiJ_3escU Sud-Aviation SA-610 Ludion (1967-1968)] - Youtube video
{{Sud/Aérospatiale aircraft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aerospatiale Ludion}}
Category:Aérospatiale aircraft
Category:1960s French experimental aircraft