Bernard 82

Overview

The Bernard 82 was a French single-engined long-range monoplane bomber designed and built by Société des Avions Bernard. Only two prototypes were built and the type did not enter production. The Bernard 82 was developed from the long-range Bernard 80 GR, which had been designed to set long-distance-flight records. The all-metal Bernard 82 was a three-seat long-range bomber, known at the time as a bombardier de représailles or reprisal bomber. It was fitted with a relatively large wing, a complex retractable landing gear mechanism, and powered by a single nose-mounted Hispano-Suiza 12Ybrs inline piston engine. A total of two prototypes were produced; the first made its maiden flight in December 1933 while the second prototype followed during March 1934. Flight testing revealed the landing gear retraction system to be unreliable, forcing more than one belly landing to be performed as a result. Reliable operation was never achieved as testing was wound down following the French government’s decision to cancel the sole order for 10 aircraft that it had placed. While development continued at a much reduced pace for a time, the second prototype being reengined with the intention of participating in air races, both aircraft were eventually scrapped.