A sailing yacht that can transform into a plane thanks to its four mobile masts. The sails are retracted and the four masts are lowered to become wings.
This model was manufactured at the Aerocoché plant in the water sports facilities of Salles sur Cérou, in the Tarn french departement.
It was designed for the princes Aziz, Dawood & Hashim, corporate executives of the “Masqat Airways” air transport company, and allows them to enjoy sailing along the Omani coastline with its 600-km range in the plane version.
Four dual propellers “Nissen & Brasseur” powerhead engines are taking care of the propulsion in Plane mode.
The propulsion is provided by the sails of the four masts in Boat mode. The surface of the sails is 1,302 sq. m. Each mast can be individually oriented through a double-jack system that ensures an optimal positioning regardless of the wind direction.
In order to transform into wings, the masts must be lowered in horizontal position. The sails will then go to storage compartments located inside each mast. The four masts are lifted and lowered by a set of four shrouds set up on two central masts.
Air transport company: Masqat Airways
Aircraft type: Seaplane-convertible sailing yacht 8P-sail-4M
Engines: Four dual propellers “Nissen & Brasseur” powerhead engines
Manufacturer: Aerocoché
Designer: Yelken Octuri
Boat Mode:
- Length: 46,2 metres
- Width: 27 metres
- Rigging: 4 masts
- Height: 50,7 metres
- Height of masts: 40,6 metres
- Surface of the sails: 1302 m² (sails + masts surface)
Plane mode:
- Wingspan: 90,4 metres
- Height: 27,6 metres
- Engines: “Nissen & Brasseur”
- Engine power: 4 x 5400 ch
- Maximum speed: 390 km/h
via notcot via octuri
Has one of these things ever actually been built? Did it fly? I would be interested in seeing a much smaller version for private long-range cruising/commuting.
Call me when you have built it.