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The `!Besson H-3`! was a French civil touring triplane `F33f`_`[flying boat`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Flying_boat]`_`f designed by the `F33f`_`[Marcel Besson`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Besson_(aircraft)]`_`f company of Boulogne.`:cite-ref-orbis-1-0[`F5bf`_`[1`#cite-note-orbis-1]`_`f] One aircraft was built and the type did not enter production.`:cite-ref-orbis-1-1[`F5bf`_`[1`#cite-note-orbis-1]`_`f]

>>Contents

• `F0af`_`[Design and development`#design-and-development]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[Specifications (H-3)`#specifications-h-3]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[See also`#see-also]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[References`#references]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[Notes`#notes]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[Bibliography`#bibliography]`_`f

-─

>>Design and development

The H-3 was designed as a civil touring flying boat and had single-bay equal-span wings and room for two in a `F33f`_`[side-by-side configuration`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Side-by-side_configuration]`_`f cockpit, it was fitted with dual-controls.`:cite-ref-orbis-1-2[`F5bf`_`[1`#cite-note-orbis-1]`_`f] Initially powered by a 45 kW (60 hp) le Rhône 9Z rotary, the H-3 was found to be under-powered and re-engined with a 97 kW (130 hp) `F33f`_`[Clerget 9B`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Clerget_9B]`_`f rotary, (from `*Société Clerget-Blin et Cie`*), driving a tractor propeller.`:cite-ref-orbis-1-3[`F5bf`_`[1`#cite-note-orbis-1]`_`f] The aircraft did not enter production and the sole H-3 was re-designated `!MB-12`! in 1922 when it was modified with an enlarged central wing.`:cite-ref-orbis-1-4[`F5bf`_`[1`#cite-note-orbis-1]`_`f]

>>Specifications (H-3)

`*Data from`* `:cite-ref-orbis-1-5[`F5bf`_`[1`#cite-note-orbis-1]`_`f]

`!General characteristics`!

• `!Crew:`! 2

• `!Wingspan:`! 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)

• `!Mid wingspan:`! 11 m (36 ft 1 in) after modification to MB-12

• `!Height:`! 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in)

• `!Wing area:`! 30.99 m2 (333.6 sq ft) the MB-12 had a wing area of 32.20 m2 (346.6 sq ft)

• `!Empty weight:`! 590 kg (1,301 lb)

• `!Max takeoff weight:`! 875 kg (1,929 lb)

• `!Powerplant:`! 1 × `F33f`_`[Clerget 9B`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Clerget_9B]`_`f rotary piston engine, 97 kW (130 hp)

• `!Propellers:`! 2-bladed fixed pitch wooden tractor propeller

`!Performance`!

• `!Maximum speed:`! 155 km/h (96 mph, 84 kn)

• `!Range:`! 450 km (280 mi, 240 nmi)

• `!Service ceiling:`! 3,200 m (10,500 ft)

>>See also

`!Related lists`!

• `F33f`_`[List of flying boats and floatplanes`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=List_of_flying_boats_and_floatplanes]`_`f

>>References

>>>Notes

`:cite-note-orbis-1`!1.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-orbis-1-0]`_`f Orbis 1985, p. 655

>>>Bibliography

• `*The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)`*. Orbis Publishing.

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