VERSATILE AIRCRAFT WITH WINGS COMPRISING INTEGRAL POWER UNITS AND HELIUM SUPPLY FITTED WITH SELF-CONTAINED AND INTERCHANGEABLE NACELLES

摘要

The invention relates to an aircraft derived from the aeroplane and the airship with conventional aeroplane controls. The fuselage (2) and wings (3) of this aircraft (1) consist of a single volume, very thick at its centre along the axis and tapering towards the ends, aerofoil tips (5) and trailing edge (6). The inside of this volume (fuselage-wings) contains sealed casings (10) of helium (13) and sealed motive unit fairings (23), the air jet of which is supplied by a turbine (22) in front of each sealed fairing. Passengers, freight or special units are transported in removable, self-contained and interchangeable nacelles (35) secured beneath the belly of the fuselage-aerofoil assembly. The purposes may be of many kinds and determine the equipment: operating blocks and hospital nacelles may be left at the scene of earthquakes or disasters, marine nacelles may be used for monitoring and rescue at sea, water tanks may be fitted for forest fires, etc. The crew, pilots and navigators are housed in a nacelle (31) projecting far in front of the aircraft and integral with an overhanging beam (32), providing a 360o field of view which is essential for the various purposes considered.