The Coandă-1910: A Contested Pioneer of Jet Propulsion

Henri Coandă’s 1910 aircraft, the Coandă-1910, occupies a curious and controversial place in aviation history. Though often cited as the first jet-propelled aircraft, its true nature and capabilities remain subjects of debate among historians and engineers.

Origins and Design

The Coandă-1910 was unveiled at the Second International Aeronautical Exhibition in Paris in October 1910. Designed by Romanian inventor Henri Coandă, it was a sesquiplane—a biplane with a smaller lower wing—and featured an unconventional propulsion system. Instead of a traditional propeller, Coandă employed a ducted fan powered by a piston engine, which he called a turbo-propulseur. This system used a centrifugal blower to push air through a duct, a concept that bore superficial resemblance to later jet engines.

The aircraft’s structure was typical of the era: a wooden frame covered in fabric, exposed support struts, and a fixed undercarriage. The pilot sat in an open cockpit behind the engine, with minimal protection from the elements.

Claims of Jet Propulsion

Decades after its debut, Coandă began to assert that the Coandă-1910 was not merely experimental but the world’s first jet aircraft. He claimed that the engine injected fuel into the airstream and combusted it to produce thrust—a principle foundational to motorjets and turbojets. However, contemporary analyses and historical records cast doubt on these claims. There is no definitive evidence that the aircraft ever flew, nor that its propulsion system achieved combustion-based thrust.

In the 1950s, Coandă published articles and gave interviews asserting that he had flown the aircraft in December 1910, only to crash and destroy it in a fire. These accounts were inconsistent, and some drawings presented to support his claims appeared altered from earlier versions.

Legacy and Recognition

Despite the skepticism, Romania celebrated the centennial of the Coandă-1910 in 2010, marking it as the birth of jet aviation. A commemorative coin and stamp were issued, and a replica of the aircraft was constructed. The European Parliament hosted an exhibition honoring Coandă’s work, reflecting national pride in his contributions to early aviation.

While the Coandă-1910 may not have been a true jet aircraft by modern standards, it remains a fascinating artifact of innovation and ambition. Its story illustrates the blurred lines between visionary engineering and myth-making, and it continues to inspire debate about the origins of jet propulsion.