Chelidon
Role training and Reconnaissance
Manufacturer EAF (KEA)
Designer Team supervised by Charles H. Lowe-Wylde
First flight 20 February 1927[1]
Retired 1938
Produced 1927
Number built 1 (original order for 18 aircraft)

The Chelidon (Χελιδών, meaning 'Swallow' in Greek, also spelled in English as Helithon) was the first airplane developed by the Greek EAF (KEA) aircraft factory with management provided by Blackburn Aircraft Limited at the time. As mentioned in the contemporary Jane's edition, it was designed largely by Greeks (under the supervision of Mr. Charles H. Lowe-Wylde), according to Greek Navy specifications. The development of the Chelidon was completed in the virtually record time of eight weeks, and the first flight was made on 20 February 1927, as a two-seater military biplane designed for advanced training and other roles including reconnaissance and could also be transformed into a hydroplane. Powered by a 120 hp (89 kW) Salmson 9AC engine, (future variants were to use the Armstrong Siddeley Lynx engine), and had a maximum speed of 150 km/h (93 mph; 81 kn).[1]

An order was originally placed in December 1926, by the Greek Navy, for 18 aircraft but no further production followed, as, after the three-month test flight period, it was considered inferior to alternative proposed models. The example built was used for technical personnel training at KEA and was probably scrapped in 1938.

Specifications (Chelidon)

Data from KEA Chelidon[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 5.79 m (19 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 8.17 m (26 ft 10 in)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Salmson 9AC 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 89 kW (120 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 150 km/h (93 mph, 81 kn)

References

  1. 1 2 Travers, H.G. Cross country: being extracts from the letters of J.L., H.G. and C.T. Travers and their family, and from the log-books of H.G. Travers; with background material, linking narrative and some pages of reminiscence by E. Travers. Hothersall & Travers. ISBN 0-9515461-0-4.
  2. ↑ Dream, Neural (9 January 2012). "(1927-1938) KEA Chelidon". A history of military equipment of modern Greece (1821-today). Retrieved 6 October 2018.

Further reading

  • Greek ERGA magazine, December 15, 1926 issue (info about Greek Navy order)
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