The Esnault-Pelterie REP.2 was an early experimental aircraft designed and built by Robert Esnault-Pelterie in France in 1908.The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft 1983, p.1616 In its final form, the REP.2bis, it was the most successful of Esnault-Pelterie's early designs.
Design Like Esnault-Pelterie's previous REP.1, it was a high-wing monoplane with a short fuselage and an open cockpit for the pilot. Power was provided by a piston engine in the noseDumas 1909, p.56 of Esnault-Pelterie's own design. This engine turned a tractor-mounted propeller. The undercarriage was unusual, consisting of a main monowheel and a tailwheel. This bicycle arrangement was supplemented by large outrigger wheels mounted on the wingtips. The trapezoidal wings had a marked anhedral, and lateral control was achieved by wing-warping.Munson 1969, p.130 It was originally fitted with small elevators on the forward fuselage, but these were soon removed.
The REP.2 differed from the REP.1 in having a large ventral balanced rudder.
Development Tests with the REP.2 commenced in June 1908, and on 8 June a flight of was made, reaching an altitude of 30 m (100 ft), setting a height and distance record for monoplanes."Experiences de M. R. Esnault-Pelterie" 1908, p.226 As originally constructed, Esnault-Pelterie made several brief flights in it, but none longer than one or two minutes.Gibbs-Smith 1966, p.53
The aircraft was then modified by the addition of a trapezoidal dorsal fin, to create the REP.2bis. In this form, piloted by M. Châteaux, it won the third Ae.C.F. prize for a flight of over 200 metres on 21 November 1908, with an officially observed flight of ."Le Monoplan R.E.P bis gagne le 3e Prix de 200 metres" 1908, p.479 It was then exhibited at the Paris Aero Salon in December 1908 and at the Aero Show at Olympia in London in 1909."Rheims Aero Meeting" 1909, p.504 While on show, Esnault-Pelterie offered the aircraft for sale for £GBP 1,400 (about £GBP 142,000 in 2025), which aviation historian Kenneth Munson described as "optimistic".
In May 1909, it made its longest flight, of ,Dumas 1909, p.85 covering the distance in about seven minutes.
It was entered for the ("Grand week of Aviation") in Reims in August 1909, but Esnault-Pelterie did not compete there owing to an injury to his hand. Nevertheless, of four Esnault-Pelterie monoplanes fielded, it was the only one to make a flight (and even then, only once.) It carried the tail number 3.
As the REP.2bis, it made twelve flights.
Variants
REP.2: initial version of 1908 REP.2bis: improved version of 1909
Specifications (REP.2bis)
Notes
References
Bibliography