The dates which make the Hydroptère
1976
- A First
In
front of La Rochelle, Eric Tabarly tries out a strange machine worked out
from a hull of Tornado. Imagined according to calculations' of an engineer
from Dassault, Alain de Bergh, this trimaran with foils flies on water.
The
idea of an open sea foiler has been born...
1979
- The
year
18
meters long, the first hydrofoil of open sea thought by Alain de Bergh
and drawn by André Sournat is launched. On board, Marc Pajot and
Eric Tabarly finish second of the transatlantic race in double, Lorient
- Les Bermudes - Lorient.
In
1980, it pulverizes the unconquered record of the Atlantic crossing since
1905 . But, too heavy, its hull central out
of aluminium will never take off of water.
The anser will come only from the composite.
1983
- The Dream
On
the ex-multihulls Star-Point', board, Alain Thébault démâte
in the transatlantic race in double a few days after the departure. This
day there, he decides to build a boat which could fly.
1984
- The Tabarly year
Eric
Tabarly requests the detachment of Alain Thébault from his sides
during his military service.
1985
- Tabarly entrusts the project to Alain Thébault
Eric
Tabarly calls Alain de Bergh while asking him to work with Alain Thébault
with the design of the Hydrofoil.
1986
- Epique!
With
Alain de Bergh, Alain Thébault makes navigate the first model of
the Hydrofoil on the large channel of the castle of Versailles. He draws
the model, De Bergh stop watch.
1986-87
- Collaboration
Beginning
of the collaboration of Alain Thébault with the architects Marc
Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot-Prévost. It never ceased. Marc
and Vincent draw a model of 1.80 radio operator meter controlled built
by J.-P. Huten. Alain uses it like mean of communication.
1988-92
- The Galère Years
Always
in direct relation with the architects, Alain manufactures a model with
the third (6 meters) which it tries out at
the National School of Veil:
The
central hull is a float of a class A multihulls. The arm consists of a
profile of mast. The floats are out of foam. Gréement is that of
Tornado. The foils and the carrying plan are out of carbon.
On
board, using sand bags which it moves to balance the boat, Alain Thébault
tests and gives an account of his observations to Alain de Bergh. The last
year, Jean Le Cam makes his first weapons of pilot.
1990
- A Committee of Sponsorship is Trouvé
Around
Eric Tabarly joins a certain number of interested personalities to take
part in the adventure of the Hydrofoil. Three name to be retained: Olivier
Guichard, Bruno Revelin Falcoz, vice-president of Dassault, and Yves Sillard
of the Ministry for the Defense, which will give its agreement for the
tests out of basin of hull.
August
1992 - The Spark
The
meeting of the large captains of industry in the house of Eric Tabarly
in Bénodet all will start. The Hydrofoil starts to take shape.
July
1993 - It Flies!
Launching
of the construction of the first flying boat. The agreement is signed by
François Fillon, of the Ministry for Higher education and Search.
June
1995 - The Damage
Between
Lorient and Beautiful-Island,
the
arm of connection under the wind breaks...
October
1997 - Setting with Water
Second
version, equipped with a new arm and a new back carrying plan.
June
8, 1998 - New Hard Blow
An
attaching bolt of the foil starboard designed by Dassault romp involving,
because of the high funds, the wrenching of the carrying plan postpones...
More
information here.
September
1998 - Dassault leaves the ship
Here
dispatch
A.F.P.
December
1998 - The Hydrofoil in Versailles
With
the occasion of the nautical show 1998, the organization of the show invited
Alain Thébaut to expose the Hydrofoil on the square of the large
hall of the exposures.