Nord 1601

Nord 1601
Role	Aerodynamic research aircraft
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Nord Aviation
First flight	1950
Number built	1

The Nord 1601 was a French aerodynamic research aircraft designed and built by Nord Aviation. The aircraft was designed to investigate the aerodynamics of swept wings and related high-lift devices.

Design and development

The 1601 was a cantilever mid-wing monoplane with a 33° swept wing. The wing was fitted with ailerons, spoilers, leading-edge slats and trailing-edge flaps. It had a retractable tricycle landing gear and was powered by two Rolls-Royce Derwent turbojets in under-slung wing-mounted nacelles on each side of the fuselage. It has an enclosed cockpit for the pilot and was fitted with a Martin Baker ejection seat. The 1601, registered F-WFKK, first flew on the 24 January 1950.

Variants

Nord 1600

Proposed fighter variant, not built.

Nord 1601

Aerodynamic research aircraft, one built.

Specifications (1601)

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Wingspan: 12.46 m (40 ft 10½ in)
• Height: 3.67 m (12 ft 0 in)
• Empty weight: 4710 kg (10384 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Derwent 5 turbojet, 17.8 kN (4000 lbf) thrust each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1000 km/h (621 mph)
• Service ceiling: 12000 m (39,370 ft)

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. 
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.