Riout 102T Alérion Ornithopter

Designed by René Riout and built in 1937, the Riout 102T Alérion was an ornithopter (an aircraft that flies by flapping its wings). In 1938, while undergoing tests at the Chalais-Meudon wind tunnel, the wings failed. Although they had operated well during the three hours of testing and Riout was already considering stronger wings, all further development was halted due to the impending war with Germany.

It never flew and was stored until it was found in 2005 and brought to the Musée Régional de l’Air at Angers, where it was partially restored.