Abrial A.8 (Caudron A.260)

I do not often draw plans from scratch. Nor do I often depict REAL aircraft projects. This artwork however depicts a perfectly real 1930-1932 project, the French Abrial A.8, which Caudron briefly considered to build as the A.260.

Abrial was known mostly for his work on tailless gliders, and his research was influential in getting other tailless aircraft pioneer Fauvel started.

A model of the A.8 was displayed on the Caudron stand at the 1932 Paris Air Exhibition in the Grand Palais, but the project was no longer heard of afterwards.

This piece was inspired by period technical drawings (see below right) as well as a sketchy three-view by Alain Pelletier that contained a few mistakes. The only concession here to artistic license is the use of the trademark Caudron blue color and their logo on the tail.

The strange background motif was adapted from a special 1930s French air mail post stamp which depicted a Caudron Simoun flying over Paris. (see below)

 



Viewers' comments:
  • Cool little plane. :) (Marian87)
  • Sexy... Very Crimson Skies-ish; love it! (SomeRandomMinion)
  • Very Cool, Agree it has a Crimson Skies Feel to it. also looks like something from 'Bill Barnes'! (arenafighter)

My comments: