------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Version 31 March 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --0--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --A--------------------------------------------------------------------------- A.2, Spad See SA.2. AA.1, Ateliers-Aeronautiques d'Issy-Moulinaux This was the Caudron C.440 Goeland, as built by the nationalized Caudron factory after 1945. AAC-1 Toucan French version of the Junkers Ju 52, built during and after WWII. AC, Morane-Saulnier Shoulder-wing fighter monoplane. The AC was a clean, advanced design, but the SPAD VII was preferred, and only about 30 were built. Type: AC Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 120hp Le Rhone 9JB Speed: 178km/h Ceiling: Range: 2h 30m Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Ader Clement Ader claimed to have flown in his 'Eole' on 9 October 1890. This was a about 50m powered 'hop', uncontrolled but the first from ground level (starting ramps were used for earlier hops.) On 3 February 1892, Ader received a contract for a two-seater capable of carrying 75kg of bombs. It was built but crashed at the first flight attempt on 14 October 1897. Aerienne Bordelaise 80 Bomber design. AF, Morane-Saulnier Fighter biplane, the first of this manufacturer that had previously built monoplane fighters. The AF had excellent handling and performance, but did not enter production because the it improved too little on the SPAD XIII. Type: AF Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 150hp Gnome Monosoupape 9Nb Speed: 207km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm AFH, Morane-Saulnier Shipboard, seaplane derivative of the AF. AI, Morane-Saulnier Single-seat, parasol-wing monoplane fighter. The AI was built as the MoS.27C version with a single gun, the MoS.29C with two guns, and the MoS.30E.1 as trainer. The AI was considered to be the equal of the SPAD XIII, but the weak showed some weakness, and the combat career was very brief because of the unreliable engines. 1210 were built. Type: AI Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 160hp Gnome Monosoupape 9N Wing Span: 8.51m Length: 5.65m Height: 2.4m Wing Area: 13.39m2 Empty Weight: 488kg Max.Weight: 598kg Speed: 208km/h Ceiling: 7000m Range: 2h 30m Armament: 1-2*mg Aiglon, Caudron C.600 (601) Civil touring monoplane; used by the military from 1939 until after WWII. Type: C.600 Function: liaisin Year: 1935 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 140hp Renault Bengali Speed: 225km/h Ceiling: 6000m Range: 540km Alcyon, Morane-Saulnier MS.733 Trainer. 200 built. Alize, Breguet Br 1050 Small carrier-based ASW aircraft, developed from the Vultur. 89 built. Type: Br 1050 Alize Function: ASW Year: 1956 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 1473kW R.R. Dart R.Da.7 Mk.21 Wing Span: 15.60m Length: 13.86m Height: 5.00m Wing Area: 36m2 Empty Weight: 5700kg Max.Weight: 8200kg Speed: 518km/h Ceiling: 8000m Range: 2500km Armament: 1360kg Alouette, Sud-Est SE 3120 Light helicopter. The Alouette was already a good helicopter; great succes came when the 200hp Salmson engine was replaced by a turboshaft to create the Alouette II. Type: Alouette Function: utility Year: 1952 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 150kW Salmson 9NH Speed: Ceiling: Range: Load: 2 seats Alouette II, Sud-Est / Aerospatiale Light helicopter. The Alouette II is as simple as possible with a tubular frame, an engine and a small cabin. It was the first production helicopter with a turboshaft engine. Over 1300 built. Type: SE 313B Alouette II Function: utility Year: 1956 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 270kW Turbomeca Artouste II C6 Speed: 185km/h Ceiling: 2150m Range: 565km Armament: Alouette III, Aerospatiale Light transport and utility helicopter, larger and more refined than the Alouette II. 1445 were built in France but it was also license-built in Romania and India. Type: SA 316B Alouette III Function: utility Year: 1970 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 410kW Turbomeca Artouste IIIB Speed: 210km/h Ceiling: 3200m Range: 540km Armament: Alpha Jet, Dassault-Breguet/Dornier French/German jet trainer and strike aircraft. That is, the French version is a trainer, and the German one is primarly a strike aircraft, replacing the Fiat G.91. The Alpha Jet is a twin-engined aircraft with a high-set, moderately swept wing. Type: Alpha Jet A Function: trainer / strike Year: 1977 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1350kg SNECMA/Turbomeca Lazrac O4-C5 Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: M0.86 Ceiling: 15000m Range: 2780km Armament: 1*g27mm 2500kg Amiot 122 Three-seat biplane, a bomber escort. 80 built. Type: 122 BP3 Function: escort fighter Year: 1929 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 650hp Lorraine Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 5*mg7.5mm 800kg Amiot 140 (142, 143, 144, 147) The concept of the Amiot 143 was that of the 'multiplace de combat', an all-round aircraft that would be used as bomber, reconaissance aicraft and escort fighter. The 143 was an extremely ugly aircraft with a rectangular fuselage and a big, very thick wing. After some disastrous attacks in 1940 it was used as transport. The Amiot 144 was a development with a rectractable undercarriage and the Amiot 147 had twin tail fins. Type: 143M Function: bomber / reconaissance Year: 1934 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 870hp Gnome-Rhone 14Kirs/Kjrs Speed: 357km/h Ceiling: 7900m Range: 1984km Armament: 4*mg7.5mm 900kg Amiot 150 Reconaissance and torpedo bomber version of the 143, with interchangeable wheeled or float landing gear. One built. Amiot 340 (341) Three-seat initial prototype of the Amiot 350 Amiot 350 (351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357) The Amiot 350 was a elegantly streamlined twin-engined bomber, very different from the angular, ugly and slow bombers that served in the French air force during the '30s. A mid-wing aircraft with a fuselage of circular cross-section and twin tail fins. The 351 and 354 were ordered in quantity to modernize the French air force, but lack of equipment and sabotage reduced production before the but the defeat of 1940 to 86 aircraft, prototypes not included. Type: 354 Function: bomber Year: 1940 Crew: 4-5 Engines: 2 * 1060hp Gnome-Rhone 14N Speed: 490km/h Ceiling: 10000m Range: 2500km Armament: 1*g20mm 2*mg7.6mm 1200kg AN, Morane-Saulnier MoS.31 Two-seat biplane fighter. Results were disappointing; no production. Type: AN Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 450hp Bugatti Speed: 225km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 3*mg7.7mm ANF-Mureaux 190 Light fighter monoplane. ANL, Morane-Saulnier MoS.32 Development of the AN with a 400hp Liberty 12 engine. 1919. No production. ANR, Morane-Saulnier MoS.33 Development of the AN with a 450hp Renault 12Kb engine. 1919. No production. ANS, Morane-Saulnier MoS.34 Development of the AN with a 530hp Salmson 18Z engine. 1919. No production. Aquilon, Sud-Est SE 201 (202, 203, 204) French built version of the British De Havilland Sea Venom twin-boom shipboard jet fighter. 69 built. AR.1, Dorand Biplane reconaissance aircraft, used from 1917 until the end of WWI. The wings had backstagger. Type: AR.1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1917 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 190hp Renault Speed: 152km/h Ceiling: 5500m Range: 3h Armament: 2-3*mg 82kg AR.2, Dorand Improved AR.1 with a 200hp Renault engine. Ariel, Sud-Ouest SO 1100 / 1120 Experimental light helicopter. Ariel I and II had piston engines that delivered compressed air to the rotor tip jets; Ariel III used a gas turbine instead. Type: SO 1100 Ariel I Function: experimental Year: 1949 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 220hp Mathis G8 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Atar Volant, SNECMA VTOL testbed. An Atar jet engine was balanced on its exhaust. This led to the development of the Coleoptere. Atlantic, Dassault-Breguet (Atlantique) Twin-turboprop ASW aircraft, developed to NATO requirements. Most lnog-range ASW aircraft are adaptions from transport aircraft, but the Atlantic (or Atlantique) was designed from the outset as such. Usde by the French, German, Dutch and Italian forces. Deliveries began in 1965; in 1982 the 'second generation' Atlantic 2 began to replace it. Type: Altlantique ATL.2 Function: maritime patrol / ASW Year: 1982 Crew: Engines: 2 * 4640kW R.R. Tyne RTy.20 Mk 21 Wing Span: 37.42m Length: 33.63m Height: 10.89m Wing Area: 120.30m2 Empty Weight: 25600kg Max.Weight: 46200kg Speed: 648km/h Ceiling: 9145m Range: 18h Armament: Avimeta 88 Two-seat fighter-reconaissance aircraft, an all-metal high-wing aircraft with corrugated skinning. The official requirement was abandoned. One built. Type: 88 Function: fighter Year: 1926 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 500hp Hispano-Suiza 12Hb Speed: 149mph Ceiling: 7500m Range: Armament: 4*mg7.7mm --B--------------------------------------------------------------------------- B-26 Invader, Douglas US-built fast twin-engined light bomber. It was used by French forces in Indochina. Balzac, Dassault Experimental VTOL aircraft. The Balzac was a VTOL development of the Mirage III; with a larger, wider fuselage containing Rolls-Royce lift engines. Type: Balzac V Function: experimental Year: 1962 Crew: Engines: 8 * 9.83kN Rolls-Royce RB.108 1 * 21.57kN Bristol Orpheus BOr 3 Speed: M0.9 Ceiling: Range: Baroudeur, Sud-Est SE 5000 (5003) The Baroudeur was a light, simple jet fighter without undercarriage. Take-off was by a rocket-powered trolley, and it landed on skis on a grass strip. The advantages were simplicity and independence from airfields. Five built. Type: SE 5003 Baroudeur Function: fighter Year: 1955 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 3700kg SNECMA Atar 101E-4 Speed: 1033km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*g30mm Barougan, Dassault Version of the Ouragan for grass airfields. No production. BB, Morane-Saulnier A small two-seat biplane. The BB had a very closely cowled rotary engine. Few built, for British use only. Type: BB Function: reconaissance Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 80hp Le Rhone Speed: 146km/h Ceiling: Range: Bernard 20 The Bernard 20 was a sleek low-wing monoplane fighter. It had a cantilever wing, but an open cockpit and fixed landing gear. It was developed from a series of racing aircraft. The French airforce was not interested. One built. Type: Bernard 20 Function: fighter Year: 1929 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 298kW Hispano-Suiza 12Jb Wing Span: 10.80m Length: 7.45m Height: 2.50m Wing Area: 16.70m2 Empty Weight: 1023kg Max Weight: 1370kg Speed: 280km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm BH, Morane-Saulnier Development of the BB with in-line Hispano-Suiza engine. No production. Bizerte, Breguet Br 521 (522) Larger development of the British Short Calcutta. A big three-engined biplane flying boat. After the armistice a number were used by the Luftwaffe for SAR flights. 34 built. Type: Br 521 Function: reconaissance Year: 1935 Crew: 8 Engines: 3 * 671kW Gnome-Rhone 14 Kirs 1 Wing Span: 35.15m Length: 20.50m Height: 7.45m Wing Area: 162.6m2 Empty Weight: 9470kg Max.Weight: 16600kg Speed: 243km/h Ceiling: 6000m Range: 3000km Armament: 5*mg7.5mm 300kg Bleriot XI The Bleriot XI monoplane, developed from the famous IX in which Louis Bleriot flew over the Channel, was one of the numerous reconaissance aircraft of the beginning of WWI. 132 built. Type: XI-2 Function: reconaissance Year: 1914 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * Gnome 7B Wing Span: 10.25m Length: 8.45m Height: 2.5m Wing Area: 23m2 Empty Weight: 349kg Max.Weight: 625kg Speed: 106km/h Ceiling: Range: 3h 30m Armament: Bleriot XI BG This was a parasol monoplane version of the Bleriot XI, intended as a two-seat recce aircraft. A few entered service. Bleriot 107 Bomber, designed to replace the Caudron R.XI. 1922. Bleriot 117 Development of the 107. Two 298kW Lorraine 12Db engines. 1924. Bleriot 127 The production development of the 107/117 series. The 127 was an angular, ugly low-wing monoplane; the engine nacelles were made deep and long, so that gunners could sit in the extensions behind the wing trailing edge. The 127 was considered a multiu-role aircraft, suitable for bombardment, reconnaissence and fighter escort duties. It was ineffective, but the few tens that were built served until 1934. Type: 127/2 Function: multi-role Year: 1928 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 410kW Hispano-Suiza 12Hb Wing Span: 23.2m Length: 14.68m Height: 3.41m Wing Area: 88m2 Empty Weight: 3750kg Max.Weight: 4966kg Speed: 199km/h Ceiling: 4000m Range: 6850m Armament: 6*mg7.7mm 250kg Bloch 80 (81) 21 built. Type: 81 Function: ambulance / transport Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 175hp Salmson 9Nd Speed: 188km/h Ceiling: 6400m Range: 655km Load: 1 seat / litter Bloch 130 Another 'multiplace de combat'. Orders for the 130 were cancelled in favour of the modified 131. Bloch 131 Very disappointing twin-engined bomber. The Bloch 131, a development of the 130, was a sleek low-wing monoplane, similar to the Martin Maryland, but it was already obsolete when it entered service. During WWII it was quickly switched to night operations only. 143 built. Type: Bloch 131 Function: reconaissance-bomber Year: 1938 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 870hp Gnome-Rhone 14N Wing Span: 20.3m Length: 17.85m Height: 4.1m Wing Area: 54m2 Empty Weight: 4690kg Max.Weight: 8600kg Speed: 349km/h Ceiling: 7250m Range: 1300km Armament: 3*mg7.5mm 800kg Bloch 134 Twin-engined light bomber, development of the 131. The Bloch 134 had even better performance than the LeO 451, but the armistice ended development. One built. Type: 134 Function: bomber Year: 1939 Crew: Engines: 2 * 1140hp Gnome-Rhone 14N (?) Speed: 570km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Bloch 135 Four-engined bomber. No production. Type: 135 Function: bomber Year: 1939 Crew: Engines: 4 * 700hp Gnome-Rhone 14M Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Bleriot 137 Design for a 'multiplace de combat' for bombing, reconaissance and escort tasks. The Amiot 140 design was selected. Bloch 150 (151, 152, 155, 157) See MB-150. Bloch 162 (160, 161) Four-engined mailplane, later converted to bomber. One built, that was used by the Luftwaffe with I/KG 200. The post-war development was the SE.161 Langeudoc transport aircraft. Type: 162 Function: bomber Year: 1940 Crew: 5 Engines: 4 * 1100hp Gnome-Rhone 14N 48/49 Wing Span: 28.10m Length: 21.90m Height: 3.75m Wing Area: 109m2 Empty Weight: 11865kg Max.Weight: 19000kg Speed: 550km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.5mm 2*g20mm 3600kg Bloch 170 (172, 174, 175, 176, 177) Light bomber and reconaissance aircraft, a low-wing monoplane with twin tail fins. A good, modern aircraft, but again too late for the war: the first production aircraft were delivered in March 1940. The Luftwaffe used about 50 as trainers. Production was resumed after WWII. 59 built. Type: 174 Function: reconaissance / bomber Year: 1940 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 1140hp Gnome-Rhone 14 48/49 Wing Span: 17.90m Length: 12.25m Height: 3.55m Wing Area: 38.00m2 Empty Weight: 5600kg Max.Weight: 7160kg Speed: 530km/h Ceiling: 11000m Range: 1650km Armament: 7*mg7.5mm 400kg Bloch 200 Medium bomber. The 200 was an angular high-wing monoplane, obsolete in 1940. 333 built, including 124 license-built in Czechoslovakia that served in Bulgaria, Germany and Rumania after the division of Czechoslovakia. Type: 200 Function: bomber Year: 1933 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 870hp Gnome-Rhone 14Kirs/Kjrs Speed: 230km/h Ceiling: Range: 1000km Armament: 3*mg7.5mm 1500kg Bloch 210 (211) After WWII, Maurice Bloch would change his name to Dassault and build some of the most elegant combat aircraft ever flown. In the thirties, he followed the trend in designing the ugly, angular Bloch 210 monoplane bomber. A low-wing monoplane with rectracable landing gear, the Bloch 210 was obsolete in 1940 but despite efforts to replace it was still in large-scale service. 283 built. Type: Bloch 210 BN5 Function: bomber Year: 1934 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 910hp Gnome-Rhone 14N 10/11 Speed: 322km/h Ceiling: 9900m Range: 1700km Armament: 3*mg7.5mm 1600kg Bloch 220 (221) Airliner. 17 built, at least one pressed into military service. Type: 220 Function: transport Year: 1937 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 985hp Gnome-Rhone 14N 16/17 Speed: 330km/h Ceiling: 7000m Range: 1400km Load: 16 seats Br IV, Breguet See BrM.4 Br XIV, Breguet Over 8000 were built of this biplane bomber and reconaissance aircraft, and production continued until 1926. It was a sturdy aircraft, that also pioneered the use of aluminium alloys. Later it also pioneered airline services. Type: Br XIV A.2 Function: reconaissance aircraft Year: 1917 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 224kW Renault 12Fe Wing Span: 14.86m Length: 8.87m Height: 3.30m Wing Area: 49.2m2 Empty Weight: 1030kg Max.Weight: 1565kg Speed: 184km/h Ceiling: 6000m Range: 3h Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 40kg Br XVI, Breguet Development of the XIV with longer wings and increased bomb load. Br XVII, Breguet A smaller and more powerful development of the Br XIV, as two seat fighter. Not very successfull. Type: Br XVII Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 336kW Renault 12KI Wing Span: 14.28m Length: 8.10m Height: 3.42m Wing Area: 43.30m2 Empty Weight: Max.Weight: 1840kg Speed: 218kmh Ceiling: 7500m Range: Armament: 5*mg7.7mm Br XIX, Breguet Biplane reconaissance aircraft and bomber, of which more than 3280 were built between 1922 and 1934. Constructed of duralumium with a cloth covering. The Br XIX also made the first east-to-west crossing of the North Atlantic. Some exported Br.XIXs were still in service during WWII. Type: Br XIX B.2 Function: bomber / reconaissance Year: 1922 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 500hp Hispano-Suiza 12Hb Speed: 230km/h Ceiling: 6700m Range: 800km Armament: 2-3*mg7.5mm 440kg Br 27, Breguet Prototype for the Br 270 series. Br 41, Breguet Biplane version of the Br.270 series. Production orders were cancelled. Br 121, Breguet Design for a strike aircraft. Never built, but provided the basis for the Jaguar. Br 191, Breguet (192, 197, 199) Development of the Breguet XIX. Br 270, Breguet (271, 272, 273, 274) Observation and bomber sesquiplane. The tail was carried on a slender boom attached to the lower aft fuselage, to give the aft gunner a better range of fire. The Br 270 was built of steel and very sturdy, but performance was mediocre. Despite apparent obsolescence, still in service in the beginning of WWII, but soon retired. Over 150 built. Type: Br 270 Function: observation Year: 1930 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 373kW Hispano-Suiza 12Hb Wing Span: 17.01m Length: 9.76m Height: 3.55m Wing Area: 49.67m2 Empty Weight: 1756kg Max.Weight: 2393kg Speed: 236km/h Ceiling: 7900m Range: 1000km Armament: 120kg 3*mg7.7mm Br 330, Breguet Br 270 re-engined with 650hp Hispano-Suiza 14 Krsd. One built. Br 410, Breguet Design for a 'multiplace de combat' for bombing, reconaissance and escort tasks. The Amiot 140 design was selected. (See also Br 41 ?) Br 460, Breguet Bomber design. Br 462 Vultur, Breguet See Vultur. Br 482, Breguet Four-engined bomber. Two prototypes built; one was lost in 1940, the other was tested in 1947. Type: Br 482 Function: bomber Year: 1940 Crew: Engines: 4 * 1100hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 524km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Br 521 Bizerte, Breguet (522) See Bizerte. Br 690, Breguet (691, 692, 693, 294, 695, 696, 297, 698, 696, 700) Twin-engined multi-role aircraft. The Br 690 was a well-streamlined, all-metal aircraft with twin tail fins. It was developed in bomber, attack, reconaissance and fighter versions, and promised much, but it was too late for the war in 1940, partly because of insufficient deliveries of engines and instrumentation. Models 694 and 696 to 700 remained prototypes or projects; 386 were built. Type: Br 691AB-2 Function: attack Year: 1939 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 700hp Hispano-Suiza A4Ab Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 479km/h Ceiling: 8500m Range: 1350km Armament: 1*g20mm 4*mg 400kg Br 761 Provence, Breguet (763) See Provence Br 765 Sahara, Breguet See Sahara. Br 941 Integral, Breguet See Integral. Br 960 Vultur, Breguet See Vultur. Br 1050 Alize, Breguet See Alize. Br 1150 Atlantic, Breguet See Atlantic. Bre.5, Breguet Fighter development of the BrM.4, a pusher biplane. Later also used as night bomber. Type: Bre.5 Ca.2 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 164kW Renault 12b Wing Span: 17.15m Length: 9.90m Height: 3.90m Wing Area: 57.7m2 Empty Weight: 1350kg Max.Weight: 2150kg Speed: 133km/h Ceiling: 3700m Range: 6h 15min Armament: 1*g37mm 1*mg7.7mm Bre.6, Breguet Bre.5 reengined with a 168kW Salmson A9 engine. Bre.12, Breguet Nighfighter development of the Bre.5. Breguet 1914 Reconaissance biplane. Served briefly during the first months of WWI. Type: 1914 Function: reconaissance Year: 1914 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 130hp Canton-Unne Speed: 109km/h Ceiling: Range: Broussard, Holste MH-1521M Light STOL transport. BrM.2, Breguet-Michelin BrM.3, Breguet-Michelin BrM.4, Breguet-Michelin Biplane bomber, a pusher aircraft. BrM.5, Breguet-Michelin Originally a fighter version of the BrM.4. Too slow and vulnerable for daylight operations, and thus used as night bomber. Some carried 37mm cannon. See also Bre.5 Type: BrM.5 Function: bomber Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Buyscaylet-Bechereau 2 Single-seat fighter, a parasol monoplane. --C--------------------------------------------------------------------------- C, Spad Three-seat fighter biplane. One gunner was seated behind the pilot, the other in a small nacelle fitted in front of the propeller, as the SA.1. It is not clear whether it was ever built or flown. C2F, Villiers Fighter. The C2F had wheeled landing gear, but a watertight float-bottomed fuselage and wingtip floats; it could drop the wheels to land on water. C.59, Caudron Single-engined biplane, a trainer. The C.59 was built of wood, but advacnced in layout; over 1800 were built, and many were exported. Type: C.59 Function: trainer Year: 1922 Crew: 2 Engines: 134kW Hispano-Suiza 8A Wing Span: 10.24m Length: 7.80m Height: 2.90m Wing Area: 26m2 Empty Weight: 700kg Max.Weight: 988kg Speed: 170km/h Ceiling: Range: 3h 30min Armament: C.160, Transall Medium transport, a French/German cooperation project. Germany bought 110. The Transall is smaller and shorter-ranged than the C-130 Hercules, and has only two engines, but is very similar in other respects. Some are configured as airborne command posts, known as 'Astarte'. Type: C.160 Function: transport Year: 1968 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 4500kW R.R. Tyne RTy20 Mk 22 Speed: 536km/h Ceiling: 8500m Range: 4560km Load: 16000kg, 63 seats C.270 Luciole, Caudron (272) See Luciole C.400, Caudron Military version of the Caudron C.282, ordered as liaison and trainer. Used in small numbers during WWII. 40 built. Type: C.400 Function: liaison / trainer Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 120hp Renault 4 Pdi Speed: 186km/h Ceiling: 4250m Range: 825km Load: 3 seats C.440 Goeland, Caudron (441, 444, 445, 447, 448, 449) See Goeland. C.510 Pelican, Caudron See Pelican. C.600 Aiglon, Caudron (601) See Aiglon C.630 Simoun, Caudron (630, 631, 633, 634, 635) See Simoun. C.710 Cyclone, Caudron (710, 712, 713, 714) Light fighter, developed from the pre-war C.710 racing aircraft. The Armee de l'Air ordered 100 C.714s. Fifty were sent to Finland, but only six entered Finnish service; about 40 were delivered to the French AF, and were flown in combat by Polish pilots. The rest of the order was cancelled, because the climb speed of the C.714 was considered insuffucient. 98 built. Type: C.714 Function: fighter Year: 1939 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 450hp Renault 12 Ro Wing Span: 8.97m Length: 8.53m Height: 2.87m Wing Area: 12.5m2 Empty Weight: 1400kg Max.Weight: 1750kg Speed: 487km/h Ceiling: 9100m Range: 900km Armament: 4*mg7.5mm C.720, Caudron Trainer version of the C.714, powered by a 164kW Renault Bengali 6Q or 75kW Renault Bengali 4Pei. C.760, Caudron Re-engined C.714. 750hp Isotta-Fraschini Delta RC.40. C.770, Caudron Re-engined C.714. 800hp Renault 626. C.A.M.S. 37 Shipboard observaition flying boat. Some were still in service in 1940. Type: 37.2 Function: observation Year: 1926 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 450hp Lorraine 12 Ed Speed: 175km/h Ceiling: 3400m Range: 800km Armament: 2* mg7.7mm 300kg C.A.M.S. 51 Biplane flying boat, intended as bomber and reconaissance aircraft. 1927. C.A.M.S. 54 Long-range, biplane flying boat fighter. An attempt to cross the Atlantic in 1928 failed. C.A.M.S. 55 Developed from the 51 and 54. Flying boat biplane, a sizeable aircraft with two engines in tandem between the wings; some were still in service in 1940, but only for training and transport. 112 built. Type: 55.10 Function: reconaissance Year: 1934 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 530hp Gnome-Rhone 9 Kbr Wing Span: 20.40m Length: 15.03m Height: 5.41m Wing Area: 113.45m2 Empty Weight: 4950kg Max.Weight: 6900kg Speed: 195km/h Ceiling: 3400m Range: 1875km Armament: 4*mg7.7mm 2*b75kg C.A.O. 700 Four-engined bomber. Was never flown; testing was abandoned after the armistice. The C.A.O.700 had upper and ventral gun positions, and twin tailfins. Type: 700 Function: bomber Year: 1940 Crew: 5 Engines: 4 * 1140hp Gnome-Rhone 14N-14 Wing Span: 81ft 7in Length: 61ft 6in Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: 39860lb Speed: 540km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 3*7.5mm 1*20mm CM.10, Fouga Large shoulder-wing transport glider. The CM.10 was of mixed construction, with fixed tricycle landing gear, and a hinged nose for easy unloading. Prototype only. CM.100, Fouga (101) Powered development of the CM.10. Prototype only. Type: CM.100 Function: transport Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 433kW Renault 12S Wing Span: 26.70m Length: 17.90m Height: Wing Area: 71.90m2 Empty Weight: 4540kg Max.Weight: 7300kg Speed: 245km/h Ceiling: Range: 500km Armament: CN 235, Airtech Tactical transport. Eight delivered in 1992. Coleoptere, SNECMA C.450 The Coleoptere was an experimental tail-sitting VTOL aicraft with an annular wing. The project was abandoned after the aircraft was lost. Type: C.450 Coleoptere Function: experimental Year: 1959 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 3700kg SNECMA Atar 101E.V Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Cougar, Aerospatiale AS 332 See Super Puma. Criquet, Morane-Saulnier MS.500 (501, 502) French production version of the Fieseler Fi 156 Storch. The MS.500 had the original Argus AS 410 engine, the MS.501 had a Renault engine and the MS.502 had a Salmson radial engine. Cyclone, Caudron C.710 (713,714) See C.714 --D--------------------------------------------------------------------------- D.1, Dewoitine Parasol wing fighter. 29 built for France, besides export orders for 83 and license-building of 112 by Ansaldo. Type: D.1 Function: fighter Year: 1921 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 224kW Hispano-Suiza 8Fb Wing Span: 11.50m Length: 7.50m Height: 2.75m Wing Area: 20m2 Empty Weight: 820kg Max.Weight: 1240kg Speed: 225km/h Ceiling: 8000m Range: 400km Armament: D.9, Dewoitine Version of the D.1 with Jupiter engine. D.12, Dewoitine Version of the D.1 for Argentina. D.19, Dewoitine Version of the D.1 for Switzerland. D.21, Dewoitine Version of the D.1. Seven built for Argentina, that also built 58 in license. The D.21 was built in Switzerland. D.26, Dewoitine Single-seat, advanced trainer version of the D.27. One was used until 1970! Type: D.26 Function: trainer Year: 1931 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 186kW Wright 9Qa Wing Span: 10.30m Length: 6.72m Height: 2.78m Wing Area: 17.55m2 Empty Weight: 763kg Max.Weight: 1068kg Speed: 240km/h Ceiling: Range: 500km Armament: 1-2*mg7.5mm D.27, Dewoitine (271, 274) Parasol-wing fighter. It was built by EKW in Switzerland, that used some of them until 1944. Later Dewoitine in France built 20 more. Total production was about 80. Type: D.27 C.1 Function: fighter Year: 1930 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 500hp Hispano-Suiza 12 Mc Wing Span: 10.30m Length: 6.56m Height: 2.78m Wing Area: 17.55m2 Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 312km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: D.33, Dewoitine Monoplane fighter. D.37, Dewoitine (371, 372, 373, 376) Parasol-wing fighter. Some used by the air force, 14 D.372 delivered to Spain and 44 navalized D.373s and D.376s for the Aeronavale. The D.376 had folding wings, the D.373 not. Type: D.371 Function: fighter Year: 1934 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 930hp Gnome-Rhone 14 Kfs Wing Span: 11.80m Length: 7.44m Height: 3.40m Wing Area: 17.8m2 Empty Weight: 1295kg Max.Weight: 1860kg Speed: 405km/h Ceiling: 11000m Range: 900km Armament: 2*mg7.5mm 2*mg7.7mm D.53, Dewoitine Shipboard development of the D.27. Five built, all used for engine development. D.338, Dewoitine (339) Civil airliner, pressed into military service in 1939. Type: D.338 Function: transport Year: 1936 Crew: 3 Engines: 3 * 575hp Hispano-Suiza 9Vd Speed: 315km/h Ceiling: 5000m Range: 880km Load: 24 seats D.372, Dewoitine (373, 376) See D.37. D.500, Dewoitine (501, 502, 503) Monoplane fighter with fixed landing gear. The D.500/501 was a clean, modern aircraft that equipped most French fighter units in 1938; a number were still in front-line service in 1939 but were whitdrawn before May 1940. 260 built. Type: D.501 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 690hp Hispano-Suiza 12Xcrs Wing Span: 12.09m Length: 7.56m Height: 2.70m Wing Area: 16.50m2 Empty Weight: 1287kg Max.Weight: 1787kg Speed: 335km/h Ceiling: 10200m Range: 870km Armament: 1*g20mm 2*mg7.5mm D.510, Dewoitine (511) Development of the D.510. 121 built. Type: D.510 Function: fighter Year: 1934 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 860hp Hispano-Suiza 12 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: D.513, Dewoitine (514) Low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear. Precursor of the D.520. One built. D.520, Dewoitine (521) This was the best French fighter of WWII. The D.520 was an advanced monoplane, but only 36 were in service in May 1940. Performance was below that of the Spitfire and Me 109E. Handling was not very good, and spinning was prohibited. Production continued after the armistice, and about 900 were built; after the German occupation of Vichy-France large numbers were captured and used by Germany, Bulgaria and Rumania. Some fought during the Allied invasion of French North-Africa, in 1942. Type: D.520 Function: fighter Year: 1939 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 910hp Hispano-Suiza 12Y45 Wing Span: 10.20m Length: 8.60m Height: 2.57m Wing Area: 15.97m2 Empty Weight: 2036kg Max.Weight: 2677kg Speed: 527km/h Ceiling: 11000m Range: 1250km Armament: 1*g20mm 4*mg7.5mm D.700, Dewoitine The D.700 reconaissance-bomber and trainer was abandoned in favour of a more advanced development, the D.720. D.720, Dewoitine Development of the D.700. The D.720 had more powerful engines and retractable landing gear, but its performance was still too low to attract orders. Type: D.720 Function: reconaissancd-bomber / trainer Year: 1939 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 500hp Renault 12 R Speed: 360km/h Ceiling: 8400m Range: 1530km Armament: 3*mg 200kg Dauphin, Aerospatiale SA 365 Medium-size transport helicopter with 'fenestron' tail rotor. Also built for the US Coast Guard as the HH-65 Dolphin. Type: SA 365N2 Function: transport Year: 1979 Crew: Engines: 2 * 710hp Turbomeca Arriel 1C2 Speed: 285km/h Ceiling: 3700m Range: 880km Armament: DH-011, Dorand Testbed for a rotor drive with low-pressure tipjets. The engine and rotor were fitted to an open rig with a small glazed cabin. Type: DH-011 Function: experimental Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * Turbomeca Aspin 1 Speed: Ceiling: Range: 124mls Armament: Djinn, Sud-Ouest SO 1220 Simple light helicopter, built in quantity for the army and civil customers. A tubular frame was fitted with a cabin and a gas turbine compressor for 'cold' compressed-air tipjets. Type: SO 1220 Djinn Function: utility Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * Turbomeca Palouste IV Speed: 81mph Ceiling: Range: 112mls Durandal, Sud 212 Experimental jet fighter. The Durandal was a lightweight mixed-power fighter with a delta wing. Two were built. Type: SE 212 Durandal Function: fighter Year: 1956 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 3800kg SNECMA Atar 101F 1 * 750kg SEPR 75 Speed: 1667km/h Ceiling: Range: --E--------------------------------------------------------------------------- E-3 Sentry, Boeing Four E-3F AWACS aircraft were bought by France. Ecureuil, Aerosptaile AS 350 / AS 355 Small utility helicopter, designed as a replacement for the Alouette. Built in single-engined and twin-engined versions. Type: AS 355F1 Function: utility Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * 425hp Allison 250-C20F Speed: 230km/h Ceiling: Range: 720km Armament: Entreprenant This was the name of the hydrogen balloon that was used at the Battle of Fleurus, 26 June 1794. It was the first balloon used in war. The French soon had two balloon companies, but Napoleon disbanded them in 1799. Epervier, Morane-Saulnier MS.1500 COIN aicraft. No production. Epsilon, Aerospatiale Piston-engined initial trainer. 172 built. Type: Epsilon Function: trainer Year: 1982 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * Avco Lycoming AE 10-540-K Speed: 355km/h Ceiling: 6100m Range: 1300km Armament: 480kg Espadon, Sud-Ouest SO 6020 (6021, 6025, 6026) Experimental interceptor. The Espadon had slightly swept wings and a jet engine in the tail with a ventral intake. Later a rocket engine was added under the fuselage. It was also flown with wingtip-mounted jet engines. No production. Type: SO 6021 Espadon Function: fighter Year: 1950 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2270kg R.R. Nene Speed: Ceiling: Range: 2h 30m Armament: 6*g20mm Etendard, Dassault The Etendard-family of jet aircraft has been built in many versions, but with only moderate succes. The twin-engined Etendard II was underpowered. The Etendard VI was built for the NATO strike-fighter competetion, but lost. The Etendard IV was developed in the Etendard IVM carrier aircraft for the French Aeronavale. Approx 100 built. The Etendard IVM was retired in 1991. Type: Etendard IVM Function: attack Year: 1962 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 4400kg SNECMA Atar 8 Speed: 1080km/h Ceiling: 15000m Range: 1700km Armament: 2*g30mm 1360kg --F--------------------------------------------------------------------------- F-8 Crusader, Vought US-built supersonic carrier-borne fighter. The F-8Es of the 'Aeronavale' will have to stay in service until the Rafale M is delivered. They were recently upgraded. F8F Bearcat, Grumman These US-built shipboard fighters were delivered to the French forces fighting in (then) Indochina, in 1950. F.40, Henri Farman Pusher biplane, designed and built jointly by Henri and Maurice Farman. The F.40 was based on the HF.20. Despite their obsolescence, they were used as night bombers until the last year of WWI. Type: F.40 Function: bomber / reconaissance Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 101kW Renault Wing Span: 17.60m Length: 9.25m Height: 3.90m Wing Area: 52.00m2 Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 135km/h Ceiling: 4000m Range: 2h 20m Armament: 1-2*mg7.7mm 50kg F.50, Farman Heavy bomber biplane. A few were used before the war ended in 1918. Type: F.50 Function: bomber Year: 1918 Crew: Engines: 2 * 250hp Lorraine-Dietrich Speed: 151km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: F.60 Goliath, Farman A big, rectangular biplane. Designed as bomber, but came too late for WWI. Mostly used as passenger transport, entered service as a bomber in 1922. Type: F.60 Function: transport Year: 1919 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 260 hp Salmson C.M.9 Wing Span: 25.50m Length: 14.33m Height: 4.91m Wing Area: 161.00m2 Empty Weight: 2500kg Max.Weight: 4770kg Speed: 140km/h Ceiling: 4000m Range: 400km Load: 12 seats F.68, Farman Development of the F.60, in service with the Polish air force in 1925. F-100 Super Sabre, North American US built jet fighter. F.150, Farman Big multi-role biplane on floats. Type: F.150 Function: reconaissance / bomber / torpedo-bomber Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * 420hp Gnome-Rhone Jupiter Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: F.220, Farman (221) A big, angular high-wing four-engined bomber; the engines were in tandem underwing nacelles. Limited production for the air force; a civil version had more succes. Type: F.221 Function: bomber Year: 1934 Crew: Engines: 4 * 860hp Gnome-Rhone 14 Speed: 325km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: F.222, Farman Development of the F.220 with rectractable landing gear -- but this did not eliminate the drag from the massive wing-bracing struts. Despite its obsolence it made flights over Germany in 1939, and served as a transport until 1944. Type: F.222.2 Function: bomber Year: 1936 Crew: Engines: 4 * 868kW Gnome-Rhone 14N Wing Span: 36.00m Length: 21.45m Height: 5.20m Wing Area: 186m2 Empty Weight: 10800kg Max.Weight: 18700kg Speed: 360km/h Ceiling: 8000m Range: 2200km Armament: 3*mg7.5mm 3900kg F.223, Farman See NC 223. F.224, Farman Development of the F.220. Intended as civil transport for Air France, but handed over to the air force because of low performance. F.271, Farman Angular, ugly twin-engined biplane seaplane, intended as torpedo-bomber and reconaissance aircraft. 1935. F.420, Farman Bomber design. F.2234, Farman Final development of the F.220. Far better streamlined and with retractable landing gear. Three were built as civil transport, but handed over to the French Navy at the outbreak of WWII; one was the first allied aircraft to bomb Berlin. Type: F.2234 Function: transport / bomber Year: 1939 Crew: Engines: 4 * 1000hp Hispano-Suiza 12Ydrs Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Falcon 10, Dassault (100) Twin-engined jet business aircraft. The Falcon serves as VIP transport and liaison aircraft. Type: Falcon 10 Function: utility Year: 1970 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1465kg Garrett TFE731-2 Wing Span: 13.08m Length: 13.86m Height: 4.61m Wing Area: 24.1m2 Empty Weight: 4880kg Max.Weight: 8500kg Speed: 912km/h Ceiling: Range: 3560km Load: 7 seats Falcon 20, Dassault (200) Twin-engined jet business aircraft. The Falcon serves as VIP transport and liaison aircraft. Some serve with the US Coast Guard as HU-25 Guardians. Type: Falcon 20F Function: utility Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 2041kg G.E. CF700-2D-2 Wing Span: 16.30m Length: 17.15m Height: 5.32m Wing Area: 41m2 Empty Weight: 7350kg Max.Weight: 13000kg Speed: 863km/h Ceiling: 12800m Range: 3300km Load: Falcon 50, Dassault Three-engined jet business aircraft. The Falcon serves as VIP transport and liaison aircraft. Type: Falcon 50 Function: utility Year: 1976 Crew: Engines: 3 * 1678kg Garrett TFE371-3-1C Wing Span: 18.86m Length: 18.50m Height: 6.97m Wing Area: 46.83m2 Empty Weight: 9150kg Max.Weight: Speed: 880km/h Ceiling: 13800m Range: 6300km Load: Falcon 900, Dassault Three-engined jet business aircraft, developed from the Falcon 50. The Falcon serves as VIP transport and liaison aircraft. Type: Falcon 900 Function: utility Year: Crew: Engines: 3 * 2041kg Garrett TFE731-5AR Wing Span: 19.33m Length: 20.21m Height: 7.55m Wing Area: 49m2 Empty Weight: 10240kg Max.Weight: 20640kg Speed: 927km/h Ceiling: 15550m Range: 7840km Load: 19 seats Farfadet, Sud-Ouest SO 1310 Compound helicopter. The Farfadet had a lightplane fuselage with short, low-set wings, a turboprop engine and tractor propellor in the nose, and an Arrius compressor for the rotor tipjets in the tail. Needless to say it looked rather odd. Type: SO 1310 Farfadet Function: experimental Year: 1953 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * Turbomeca Marcadau 1 * Turbomeca Arrius Speed: 150mph Ceiling: Range: Load: 3 seats F.B.A. 17 (171, 172) Biplane flying boat, popular both in civil and military versions. Type: 17 HE.2 Function: trainer Year: 1923 Crew: Engines: 1 * 112kW Hispano-Suiza 8Aa Wing Span: 12.87m Length: 8.94m Height: 3.20m Wing Area: 36.50m2 Empty Weight: 850kg Max.Weight: 1125kg Speed: 150km/h Ceiling: 3500m Range: 350km Armament: F.B.A.C. Biplane flying boat, probably the most used reconaissance seaplane of WWI. Also license-built in Italy. Type: F.B.A.C. Function: reconaissance Year: 1915 Crew: Engines: 1 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Fennec French version of the North American T-28 with a 1400hp Wright engine. Fennec, Aerospatiale AS 555 Military version of the twin-engined version of the Ecurueil. F.K.58, Koolhoven This was a Dutch fighter, designed and hastily built for France in the beginning of WWII. The F.K.58 was built of wood and steel tubing and of conventional appearance. The supply of engines and instruments from France was deficient; for delivery to France instruments were fitted, that were removed afterwards and brought back to the Netherlands! Only 13 became operational. Type: F.K.58 Function: fighter Year: 1939 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1036hp Gnome-Rhone 14N-39 Speed: 475km/h Ceiling: Range: 750km Armament: 4*mg7.5mm Flamant, Dassault MD 311 (312, 315) Small twin-engined transport, training and liaison aircraft. A clean mid-wing aircraft with twin tailfins. 318 built. Type: MD 315 Function: liaison Year: 1947 Crew: Engines: 2 * 433kW Renault-SNECMA 12S O2-201 Wing Span: 20.70m Length: 12.50m Height: 4.50m Wing Area: 47.2m2 Empty Weight: 4250kg Max.Weight: 5800kg Speed: 380km/h Ceiling: 8000m Range: 1215km Armament: Fleuret, Morane-Saulnier MS.775 Jet trainer with two Turbomeca Marbore engines. A conventional low-wing monoplane with a T-tail and side-by-side seating. Fregate, Aerospatiale N 262 Twin-engined, high-wing light transport. Mainly used as trainer. 110 built. Type: N.262 Function: transport / trainer Year: 1970 Crew: 1-2 Engines: 2 * 845kW Turbomeca Bastan VII Speed: 418km/h Ceiling: 8690m Range: 1450km Load: 3075kg, 29 seats Fulgur, Breguet Br 470 Twin-engined commercial transport. The unique prototype was sold to the Spanish Republican government and used as liaison aircraft during the civil war. One built. Type: Br 470 Function: transport Year: 1936 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 804hp Gnome-Rhone 14Kirs Speed: 385km/h Ceiling: 6000m Range: 1000km Load: 12 seats --G--------------------------------------------------------------------------- G, Morane-Saulnier Several very different aicraft were known as type G. One was a monoplane fighter similar to the type N. 80hp Le Rhone engine. G.III, Caudron Reconaissance biplane. The G.III had a tractor engine and a crew of two in a short nacelle between the wings. Over 1500 built. Type: G.III Function: reconaissance Year: 1914 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 60kW Le Rhone Wing Span: 13.40m Length: 6.40m Height: 2.50m Wing Area: 27m2 Empty Weight: 420kg Max.Weight: 710kg Speed: 108km/h Ceiling: 4000m Range: 4h G.IV, Caudron Twin-engined biplane bomber. The G.IV had the complex tail boom structure and short nacelle of a pusher aircraft, but had twin tractor engines. It was very vulnerable and soon used only for reconaissance. Over 1350 built. Type: G.IV Function: bomber Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 60kW Le Rhone 9C Wing Span: 17.20m Length: 7.20m Height: 2.60m Wing Area: 36.8m2 Empty Weight: 500kg Max.Weight: 1330kg Speed: 132km/h Ceiling: 4300m Range: 3h 30min Armament: 1-2*mg7.7mm 100kg G.VI, Caudron The Caudron G.VI was developed from the G.IV, but had a conventional fuselage instead of the short nacelle and tail struts of the G.IV. Gardian, Dassault-Breguet This is a military version of the Falcon/Mystere 20 business jet, for maritime surveillance in the Pacific. Type: Gardian Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * 2486kg Garrett ATF3-6-2C Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Gazelle, Aerospatiale SA 341/SA 342 Utility helicopter, notable for introducing the enclosed 'fenestron' tail rotor. Also built in an anti-tank version. Over 1250 built. Type: SA 341L Gazelle Function: utility Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 640kW Turbomeca Astazou XIVM Speed: 260km/h Ceiling: 4100m Range: 710km Load: 4 seats Gemaux, Fouga C.M.88-R Two 'Cyclope' fuselages with outer wings and V-tails were joined by a new central wing panel to create the Gemaux. Two small jet engines were fitted on top of the fuselages, just behind the cockpits. It was intended as engine testbed. Type: Gemaux Function: experimental Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Gerfaut, Nord 1402 (1405) Small delta-winged jet aircraft. The Gerfaut was the first European jet aircraft that was supersonic in horizontal flight, in 1954. It never entered service. Type: Gerfaut IA Function: experimental Year: 1956 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 4400kg SNECMA Atar 101G Speed: Ceiling: Range: GL-810, Gourdou-Leseurre (811, 812, 813) Shipboard floatplane, a low-wing floatplane that still performed a number of secondary roles during WWII. 93 built. Type: GL-810 Hy Function: observation Year: 1930 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 420hp Gnome-Rhone 9Ady Jupiter Speed: 180km/h Ceiling: 5500m Range: Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 150kg Type: GL-812 HY Function: observation Year: 1933 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 313kW Gnome-Rhone 9Ady Wing Span: 16.00m Length: 10.49m Height: 3.86m Wing Area: 41m2 Empty Weight: 1690kg Max.Weight: 2460kg Speed: 200km/h Ceiling: 6000m Range: 560km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 2*b75kg GL-831, Gourdou-Leseurre (832) Smaller version of the 810 series, intended for smaller ships. 23 built. Type: GL-832 Hy Function: observation Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 230hp Hispano-Suiza 9Qb Speed: 184km/h Ceiling: 4800m Range: 560km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Goeland, Caudron C.440 (441, 444, 445, 447, 448, 449) Transport aicraft of civil origin. The Goeland was a small twin-engined, low-wing monoplane. Firts flown in 1934; production continued in occupied France and after the war. 1702 were built. Type: C-445M Function: transport Year: 1935 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 164kW Renault 6Q-00/01 Bengali 6 Wing Span: 17.59m Length: 13.68m Height: 3.40m Wing Area: 42m2 Empty Weight: 2292kg Max.Weight: 3500kg Speed: 300km/h Ceiling: 7000m Range: 1000km Load: 6 seats Griffon, Nord 1500 High-speed research aircraft. The Griffon was a canarded delta, built around its engine. This was a combination of turbojet engine and ramjet; the Atar jet was fitted inside a 1.37m diameter ramjet duct. The speed of the Griffon was limited by the heating of the airframe. Type: Griffon II Function: experimental Year: 1957 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 3500kg SNECMA Atar 101E3 Speed: 2316km/h Ceiling: Range: Grognard, Sud-Est SE 2410 / 2415 A big ground-attack fighter with swept wings. The jet intake was on the upper fuselage, ahead of the wing root and in front of the heavily framed cockpit. An all-wheater fighter version was abandoned. Two built. Type: SE 2410 Grognard Function: attack Year: 1950 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 2200kg R.R. Nene 101 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Guerrier, Socata Armed version of the Rallye. Type: R 235 Function: trainer / attack Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 175kW Textron Lycoing O-540-B4B5 Speed: 275km/h Ceiling: 4500m Range: 1090km Armament: 4*7.62mm --H--------------------------------------------------------------------------- H.16, Hanriot Parasol-wing monoplane. Used as trainer (15 ordered) and observation aircraft (29 ordered). Type: H.16 Function: trainer Year: (1930s) Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 89kW Renault 4Pdi Wing Span: 11.90m Length: 8.22m Height: 2.62m Wing Area: 22m2 Empty Weight: 547kg Max.Weight: 886kg Speed: 155km/h Ceiling: 4200m Range: 375km Armament: H-21, Piasecki US-built tandem-rotor transport helicopter. In service with the army. H.43, Hanriot (431, 436, 439) Biplane trainer and observation aircraft, reliable but not exciting. Type: H.431 Function: trainer Year: 1927 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 172kW Lorraine 7Mc Wing Span: 11.40m Length: 7.98m Height: 3.16m Wing Area: 30.24m2 Empty Weight: 980kg Max.Weight: 1370kg Speed: 180km/h Ceiling: 4900m Range: 450km H.52, Bernard Single-seat seaplane fighter. H.230, Hanriot (231, 232) Twin-engined trainer, a sleek aircraft with twin tail fins and air-cooled inline engines. Three were sent to Finland. Type: H.232/2 Function: trainer Year: 1939 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 164kW Renault 6Q-o Wing Span: 12.76m Length: 8.55m Height: 3.47m Wing Area: 21.20m2 Empty Weight: 1728kg Max.Weight: 2260kg Speed: 335km/h Ceiling: 7500m Range: 1200km H-246, Liore-et-Olivier Four-engined flying boat. The H-246 was designed as a civil passenger transport, but pressed into service by the Aernavale in 1939. Later they were used by the Luftwaffe, that loaned three of them to Finland for a brief period. Seven built. Type: H-246.1 Function: transport Year: Crew: Engines: 4 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: H.436, Hanriot See H.43 Type: H.436 Function: trainer Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 230hp Salmson 9Ab Speed: 180km/h Ceiling: 4100m Range: 450km Armament: 0-1*mg7.7mm Hawk 75, Curtiss Export version of the Curtiss P-36 radial-engined monoplane fighter. The Hawk 75 was very expensive and deliveries were slow, but the need for aircraft was such that the Hawk 75 was ordered anyway. 98 were in service in May 1940. HD.1, Hanriot Biplane fighter, a small aircraft of mixed construction. France preferred the Spad VII but the HD-1 was built for Belgium and Italy. Inn Italy Macchi also built 901. Total production was 1145. Type: HD-1 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 89kW Le Rhone 9Jb Wing Span: 8.70m Length: 5.85m Height: 2.94m Wing Area: 18.20m2 Empty Weight: 400kg Max.Weight: 605kg Speed: 184km/h Ceiling: 6000m Range: 2hr 30min Armament: 1*mg7.7mm HD.2, Hanriot Floatplane fighter, based on the HD.1. Ten were ordered by the US Navy, that converted them to landplanes. Type: HD.2 Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 97kW Clerget 9B Wing Span: 8.51m Length: 7.00m Height: 3.10m Wing Area: 18.40m2 Empty Weight: 495kg Max.Weight: 700kg Speed: 182km/h Ceiling: 4800m Range: 300km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm HD.3, Hanriot Two-seat fighter biplane. Orders for 300 were reduced to 75 at the end of WWI. Type: HD.3 Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 194kW Salmson 9Za Wing Span: 9.00m Length: 6.95m Height: 3.00m Wing Area: 25.50m2 Empty Weight: 760kg Max.Weight: 1180kg Speed: 192km/h Ceiling: 5700m Range: 2hrs Armament: 4*mg7.7mm HD.9, Hanriot Reconaissance biplane, powered by a Salmson engine. Developed from the HD.3. HD-780, Dewoitine Floatplane version of the D.520. One built. He 274, Heinkel The prototype of this German high-altitude bomber was built in the Farman factories in France. It was completed after the end of WWII, and flew in the French air force until 1953. HF.20, Henri Farman Pusher biplane, an obsolete aircraft that nevertheless saw widespread service. Type: HF.20 Function: reconaissance Year: 1914 Crew: Engines: 1 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: --I--------------------------------------------------------------------------- I, Morane-Saulnier Development of the N. The I was fast, but difficult to fly. Like the N it had a fixed gun and bullet deflectors on the propellor. The I had been ordered by the British RFC, that bought only four. Type: I Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone Speed: 168km/h Ceiling: 3500m Range: 1h 20m Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Integral, Breguet Br 941 Four-engined STOL transport. Five built, one prototype and four production aircraft. Type: Br 941S Function: transport Year: 1967 Crew: Engines: 1 * 1120kW Turbomeca Turmo IIID3 Wing Span: 23.40m Length: 23.75m Height: 9.65m Wing Area: 83.80m2 Empty Weight: 13460kg Max.Weight: 26500kg Speed: 450km/h Ceiling: 9500m Range: Armament: --J--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jaguar, Sepecat The Jaguar is a British/French close support and strike aircraft. The Jaguar has a rectangular fuselage and a small, swept wing optimized for low-level flying. It is license-built in India. Ju 88, Junkers Late in 1944 a number of captured Ju 88 bombers were made operational in Toulouse. --K--------------------------------------------------------------------------- KC-135, Boeing Tanker aircraft of US origin. 11 bought, plus a few on lease from the USAF. --L--------------------------------------------------------------------------- L, Morane Saulnier Parasol monoplane. The L of Roland Garros was the first combat aicraft ever fitted with a fixed, forward-firing machine gun, with bullet deflectors on the propellor blades. But most were fitted with a gun in the second cockpit, for the observer. Type: L Function: reconaissance Year: 1913 Crew: 1-2 Engines: 1 * 80hp Gnome Speed: 115km/h Ceiling: 4000m Range: 450km Armament: 1*mg8mm L-19 Birddog, Cessna US-built high-wing liaison and observation aircraft. LA, Morane-Saulnier Improved L. Lama, Aerospatiale SA 315 A derivative of the Alouette II with a more powerful engine, developed for the Indian military forces. It set the altitude record for helicopters at 12442m, and once made a landing and take-off at 7500m. Type: SA 315b Lama Function: utility Year: 1969 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 410kW Turbomeca Artouste IIIB Speed: 192km/h Ceiling: 6400m Range: 515km Armament: Lancaster, Avro The Armee de l'Air acquired a number of these British bombers. The Lancasters of the Aeronavale were the last Lanc's in operational service. Langeudoc, Sud SO 161 Four-engined transport aircraft. Late 290, Latecoere Torpedo-bomber, a shoulder-wing seaplane, development of the Late 28 mailplane. Some were still in service in 1940. About 35 built. Type: Late 290 Function: torpedo-bomber Year: 1931 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 650hp Hispano-Suiza 12Nbr Speed: 210km/h Ceiling: 4100m Range: 700km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 300kg Late 298, Latecoere (299) Torpedo-bomber and reconaissance seaplane. A clean monoplane with twin floats, that was in service unti 1946. The 299 was a shipboard version with wheeled undercarriage. Over 130 built. Type: Late 298 Function: torpedo bomber / reconaissance Year: 1936 Crew: Engines: 1 * 880hp Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrsl Speed: 290km/h Ceiling: 6500m Range: 2200km Armament: 3*mg7.5mm Late 300, Latecoere (301, 302) The Late 302 was the miluiatry version of a long-range civil flying boat. Seven built, of which three 302s. It was a large, rather ugly parasol-wing flying boat. Type: Late 302 Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: 8 Engines: 4 * 930hp Hispano-Suiza 12Ydrs2 Speed: 240km/h Ceiling: 5000m Range: 3300km Armament: 5-7*mg7.5mm 300kg Late 521, Latecoere (522, 523) Rather ugly flying boat. The single Late 521 'Lieutenant de Vaisseau Paris' was intended for a transatlantic passenger service. Plans were hampered by diplomatic and financial problems; the Late 521 was sunk in 1936 and rebuilt in 1937. The transatlantic service was then halted by WWII, and the aircraft was used by the French Navy. The 523 was designed for the military role that abandoned the stepped nos of the 521 and 522. Five built. Type: Late 521 Function: transport Year: 1937 Crew: 8 Engines: 4 * 650hp Hispano SUiza 12Nbr Speed: 210km/h Ceiling: 6300m Range: 4100km Load: 70 seats Late 611, Latecoere (612) Long-range patrol flying boat. One built, that was in service until 1947. Type: Late 611 Function: reconaissance Year: 1939 Crew: Engines: 4 * 1010hp Gnome-Rhone 14N 30/31 Speed: 350km/h Ceiling: Range: 4250km Armament: 10*mg7.5mm 800kg LB, Besson Triplane flying boat, designed for maritime reconaissance. There was a single-seat fighter version, a three-seat long-range patrol and a coastal patrol version, also a three-seater. In the short-distance patrol version the lowest wing had a shorter span than the upper two; in the long-range version the middle wing was longer than both other wings. Only the coastal patrol version was built in series; twelve were delivered. Type: LB Function: coastal patrol Year: 1919 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 224kW Renault 12Fe Wing Span: 13m Length: 9m Height: 3.2m Wing Area: 47m2 Empty Weight: 840kg Max.Weight: 1570kg Speed: 170km/h Ceiling: Range: 500km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm 2*b50kg Leduc 0.10 Ramjet-powered research aircraft. An unusual charcteristic of the Leduc designs was that the pilot was seated in the shock cone in front of the engine inlet; in the 0.10 the pilot was actually seated inside the engine inlet! The 0.10 was carried to altitude on the back of a Languedoc transport, and then released. Type: Leduc 0.10 Function: experimental Year: 1947 Crew: 1 Engines: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Leduc 0.16 Development of the 0.10. The 0.16 had wingtip-mounted jet engines for normal take-off. It was not entirely succesful; the wingtip engines were removed. Leduc 0.21 A further development of the series, larger than the 0.10/0.16. The 0.21 still had to be air-launched. Two built. Type: 0.21 Function: experimental Year: 1953 Crew: 1 Engines: 6500kg Speed: Ceiling: Range: Leduc 0.22 Mach 2 interceptor development of the 0.21. The 0.22 had an auxiliary Atar D.3 jet engine for normal take-off. The project was cancelled following cutbacks in military spending. Two built. 1956. LeO 5, Liore et Olivier Armoured army-cooperation biplane. Type: LeO 5 Function: attack Year: 1919 Crew: Engines: 2 * 170hp Le Rhone 9R Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: LeO 20, Liore et Olivier See Leo 203. LeO 25, Liore et Olivier See LeO 203. LeO 45, Liore et Olivier Prototype of the LeO 450 series. LeO 122, Liore et Olivier See LeO 203. LeO 203, Liore et Olivier (20, 25, 122, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208) Twin-engined heavy biplane bomber. The LeO 203 and 206 had four engines in push/pull tandem nacelles. The 25 that were still in service in 1940 served in North Africa. 43 built. Type: LeO 206 Function: bomber Year: 1933 Crew: 4-5 Engines: 4 * 350hp Gnome-Rhone 7Kds Speed: 235km/h Ceiling: 7600m Range: 2000km Armament: 5*mg7.7mm 1000kg LeO 256, Liore et Olivier (257) Twin-engined seaplane torpeco-bombers. Angular aircraft built of metal tubes and fabric. Type: LeO 256 Function: torpedo bomber Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * Hispano-SUiza Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: LeO 451, Liore et Olivier (451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 458) The LeO 451 was a modern bomber, a clean-twin engined aircraft with good performance. Lack of suitable engines and propellors and numerous problems with the internal equipment slowed production down and reduced serviceability. Nevertheless 584 were built, of which 150 after the armistice of 1940; but only about 100 were operational in May 1940. Also used by German, Italian, British and USAF units. The last were retired in 1957. Type: LeO 451 Function: bomber Year: 1939 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 1000hp Gnome-Rhone 14N20 Speed: 475km/h Ceiling: 10000m Range: 2000km Armament: 1*g20mm 2*mg7.6mm 1400kg LeO H-10, Liore et Olivier Biplane. LeO H-23, Liore et Olivier Single-engined sesquiplane amphibian. Reconaissance. LeO H-43, Liore et Olivier Catapult-launched, three-seat reconaisance seaplane. It entered service in 1940 and was used on a limited scale before the capitulation. 21 built. Type: LeO H-34 Function: reconaissane Year: 1940 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 650hp Hispano-Suiza 9Vb Speed: 209km/h Ceiling: 6000m Range: 825km Armament: 2*mg7.5mm 150kg LeO H-47, Liore et Olivier (470) Four-engined flying boat, designed for Air France but pressed into military service. The LeO H-470 was a clean, fast aircraft with excellent flying characteristics. Six built. Type: LeO H-470 Function: reconaissance Year: 1938 Crew: 9 Engines: 4 * 880hp Hispano-Suiza 12Y34/35 Speed: 352km/h Ceiling: Range: 3700km Armament: 4*mg7.5mm 600kg LeO H-246, Liore et Olivier The LeO H-246 was a 26-seat civil flying boat, that was hastily militarized at the outbreak of WWII, but flew in military form only after the armistice. Some were later used by Germany, Bulgaria and Finland. Six built. Type: LeO-246.1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1940 Crew: 6-8 Engines: 4 * 720hp Hispano-Suiza 12Xgrs/hrs 1 Speed: 330km:h Ceiling: 7000m Range: 2000km Armament: 4*mg7.5mm 600kg LeO H-254, Liore et Olivier (256, 257, 258, 259) Torpedo-bomber floatplane or land-based bomber. An angular biplane, the last in the line of Liore et Olivier biplane bombers. 91 built. Type: LeO H-257bis Function: torpedo bomber Year: Crew: 6 Engines: 2 * 870hp Gnome-Rhone 14Knrs/ors Speed: 230km/h Ceiling: Range: 1500km Armament: 3*mg7.5mm 1310kg LeO H-470, Liore et Olivier See LeO H-47. Letord 4 Biplane bomber. Did not have very good performance, and was used as reconaissance aircraft. Type: 4 Function: bomber Year: 1917 Crew: Engines: 2 * 160hp Lorraine-Dietrich Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Letord 6 This was development of the Letord 3 biplane night bomber, intended as escort fighter. The concept was already outdated when flight testing began; the aircraft was too slow and too big. No production. Type: 6 Ca3 Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 220hp Hispano-Suiza 8Be Speed: 150km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*g37mm 1*mg7.7mm LGL 32, Loire-Gourdou-Leseure Parasol monoplane fighter. 350 were built for the French air force. Type: LGL 32 Function: fighter Year: 1927 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 420hp Gnome-Rhone Jupiter 9c Speed: 250km/h Ceiling: 31800ft Range: 310mls Armament: LH.16, Hanriot See H.16. LH.80, Hanriot Parasol-wing reconaissance aircraft. LN 40, Liore-Nieuport (41, 401, 402, 411, 420) Carrier-borne dive bomber. The LN 40 was a bulky monoplane with an inverted gull wing. The type was unpopular with the military, and only about 72 built. Hastily thrownb into action, they suffered heavy losses in 1940. Development of the LN 420 continued after 1945. Type: LN 40 Function: dive bomber Year: 1939 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 690hp Hispano-Suiza 12Xcrs Speed: 380km/h Ceiling: 9500m Range: 1200km Armament: 1*g20mm 2*mg7.5mm 225kg LN 160, Liore-Nieuport Fighter. LN 401, Loire-Nieuport (40, 402, 411, 420) See LN 40. Loire 43 (45, 46) 63 built. Type: 46 Function: fighter Year: 1936 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 900hp Gnome-Rhone 14Kfs Speed: 312km/h Ceiling: Range: 750km Armament: 4*mg7.5mm Loire 50 (500, 501) Light liaison flying boat. Seven built. Type: 501 Function: liaison Year: 1931 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 350hp Hispano-Suiza 9Qd Speed: 195km/h Ceiling: 4850m Range: 1100km Load: 3 seats Loire 70 (701) Three-engined, high wing flying boat. The Liore 70 was an angular aircraft with one pusher and two tractor engines on top of the wing; wings and tip floats were heavily braced. It had many weaknesses and was unpopular. Eight built. Type: 70 Function: reconaissance Year: 1937 Crew: 8 Engines: 3 * 740hp Gnome-Rhone 9Kfr Speed: 235km/h Ceiling: 4000m Range: 3000km Armament: 6*mg7.5mm 600kg Loire 130 Shipboard flying boat. Served througout WWII and afterwards. 125 built. Type: 130M Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: 1-3 Engines: 1 * 720hp Hispano-Suiza 12Xirsl Speed: 220km/h Ceiling: 6000m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.5mm 2*b75kg Load: 6 seats (crew 1) Loire 210 (211) Single-seat shipboard fighter seaplane. The 210 was a low-wing monoplane with a large central float and small wingtips floats. Structural failures led to its fast retirement. 21 built. Type: 210 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 980hp Hispano-Suiza 9Vbs Speed: 300km/h Ceiling: 8000m Range: 750km Armament: 4*mg7.5mm Loire 500 (501) See Loire 50. Loire 701 See Loire 70. Luciole, Caudron C.270 (271,272,273,274,275,276,277,278) Pre-WWII cabin biplane, pressed into service as liaison aircraft during WWII, in France, but also in Germany and Britain. 275 built. Type: C.272 Function: liaison Year: 1931 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 150hp Renault Bengali 4Pei Wing Span: 9.90m Length: 7.67m Height: 2.76m Wing Area: 24m2 Empty Weight: 516kg Max.Weight: 780kg Speed: 173km/h Ceiling: 3400m Range: 625km Armament: --M--------------------------------------------------------------------------- M.1, Ponnier Biplane fighter, with a close-cowled rotary engined and very small tail surfaces -- both characteristics were later modified. About 20 built, of which mosts deliverd to Belgium; soon disappeared from service. Type: M.1 Function: fighter Year: 1915 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 80hp Le Rhone 9C Speed: 167km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm M.2, Ponnier Design for a two-seat biplane fighter, based on the M.1. Magister, Potez / Fouga / Aerospatiale CM.170 Simple jet trainer, a straight-wing design with twin engines and a V-tail. It was also license-built in Germany, Finland and Israel. Type: CM.170 Magister Function: trainer Year: 1956 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 400kg Turbomeca Marbore IIA Speed: 715km/h Ceiling: 11000m Range: 925km Armament: 2*mg7.5mm Maillet 20 (201) Civil tourer and trainer, several impressed in 1939. Type: 201 Function: trainer / liaison Year: 1933 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 185hp Regnier 6B-01 Speed: 290km/h Ceiling: 6400m Range: 1500km Load: 2 seats MB 26, Besson Sesquiplane seaplane. The upper wing was directly on top of the fuselage, the lower wing was between fuselage and the central float. Type: MB 26 Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 400hp Lorraine-Dietrich Speed: 163km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: MB 35, Besson Seaplane. M.B.80, Bloch (81) Low-wing monoplane with fixed landing gear, designed for the ambulance role. Type: M.B.81 Function: ambulance Year: 1932 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 130kW Salmson 9Nd Wing Span: 12.59m Length: 8.4m Height: 2.9m Wing Area: 17.8m2 Empty Weight: 581kg Max.Weight: 880kg Speed: 188km/h Ceiling: 6400m Range: 654km Armament: 1 stretcher MB.150, Bloch (150, 151, 152, 153) Monoplane fighter. The first MB-150 prototype refused to leave the ground; the redesigned aircraft flew but was very complicated to build. About 140 MB-151s were built, but only 25 of them had propellors, and anyway they were considered unfit for combat. 482 improved MB-152s were built, but again many lacked propellors and other necessary items, and peak operational strength was only 94. The MB-152 was clearly inferior to the Bf 109. Production continued after the defeat of France, and over 600 were built. The single MB.153 had a P&W R-1830 engine. Type: MB.152 Function: fighter Year: 1938 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1030hp Gnome-Rhone 14N Wing Span: 10.55m Length: 9.10m Height: 3.95m Wing Area: 15m2 Empty Weight: 202kg Max.Weight: 2680kg Speed: 515km/h Ceiling: 10000m Range: 600km Armament: 4*mg7.5mm MB.155, Bloch Development of the MB.155. The only real improvement was the greater range. The MB.155 entered production after the defeat of France in 1940; they were used by the Vichy government and later by the Germans. Type: MB.155 Function: fighter Year: 1940 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 820kW Gnome-Rhone 14N-49 Wing Span: 10.55m Length: 9.05m Height: 3.95m Wing Area: 17.30m2 Empty Weight: 2100kg Max.Weight: 2900kg Speed: 520km/h Ceiling: 10000m Range: 1050km Armament: 2*g20mm 2*mg7.5mm MB.157, Bloch The MB.157 was the last development of the MB.150 series. It was completely redesigned, to make use of the powerful Gnome-Rhone 14R engine. One built, that was tested by the Germans in 1942. Type: MB-157 Function: fighter Year: 1942 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1268kW Gnome-Rhone 14R-4 Wing Span: 10.70m Length: 9.70m Height: 3.20m Wing Area: 19.40m2 Empty Weight: 2390kg Max.Weight: 3250kg Speed: 710km/h Ceiling: Range: 1095km Armament: 2*g20mm 4*mg7.5mm MB.410, Mureaux-Besson (411) Observation aircraft intended to be carried by the 2880-ton submarine cruiser 'Surcouf', armed with two 203mm guns. The MB.410 was a low-wing monoplane with a central float and two small stabilizing floats, that could easily be disassambled for stowage. One MB.410 and two MB.411s built; one MB.411 was carried on board. After June 1940 both the Surcouf and the MB.411 were used by the Free French. Type: MB-411 Function: observation Year: 1937 Crew: 1-2 Engines: 1 * 130kW Salmson 9Nd Wing Span: 12m Length: 8.25m Height: 2.85m Wing Area: 22m2 Empty Weight: 760kg Max.Weight: 1140kg Speed: 185km/h Ceiling: Range: 345km MF.7, Maurice Farman Pusher biplane, used a reconaissance aircraft during the opening months of WWI. Was known as 'Shorthorn' in British service because of the short skis on the landing gear, intended to protect against nose-overs. MF.11, Maurice Farman Improved MF.7. Known as 'Longhorn' because of the longer skis than on the MF.7. Type: MF.11 Function: reconaissance / trainer Year: 1914 Crew: Engines: 1 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Microjet Small, jet-engined basic trainer with V-tail. Type: Microjet 200B Function: trainer Year: 1980 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1.60kN Microturbo TRS-18-2 Speed: 463km/h Ceiling: 9150m Range: 760km Armament: 2*mg7.62mm Mirage I, Dassault M.D. 550 Small twin-engined delta-winged jet fighter. The Mirage I was underpowered. No production. Type: Mirage I Function: fighter Year: 1955 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * Bristol Siddeley Viper Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Mirage III, Dassault The delta-winged Mirage III jet fighter has been the largest succes of the post-war French aviation industry. More than 20 countries bought the Mirage III, and it is still in service, now undergoing extensive modernisation programmes in South-Africa, Chili and Switzerland. One of the most elegant aircraft ever flown, the Mirage III has a large delta wing and circular intakes with shock cones. A rectangular recess under the aft fuselage can contain either a fuel tank or a 1680kg rocket engine. Type: Mirage IIIE Function: fighter-bomber Year: 1964 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 6200kg SNECMA Atar 9C 0-1 * 1500kg SEPR 844 Wing Span: 8.22m Length: 15.03m Height: 4.05m Wing Area: 35.00m2 Empty Weight: 7050kg Max.Weight: 13700kg Speed: 2350km/h Ceiling: 17000m Range: Armament: 4000kg Mirage IIIV See Balzac. Mirage IVA Similar in layout tho the Mirage III, but much larger and twin- engined. The Mirage IV is a medium-range nuclear bomber. It was updated in the 1980s to carry the air-breathing ASMP nuclear missile. This somewhat compensates for its short combat range of only 1240km. 63 built. Type: Mirage IVA Function: bomber Year: 1963 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 7000kg SNECMA Atar 9K Wing Span: 11.85m Length: 23.49m Height: 5.40m Wing Area: 78m2 Empty Weight: 14500kg Max.Weight: 33475kg Speed: 2340km/h Ceiling: 20000m Range: 4000km Armament: 7260kg Mirage 5 The Mirage 5 was a fair-weather attack development of the Mirage III. The reduction of electronic equipment allows more fuel and reduces cost. Israel ordered the Mirage 5, but when France refused to deliver the aircraft it built a copy of it with the P&W J-79 engine, The Kfir. Type: Mirage 5 Function: attack Year: 1967 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 6200kg SNECMA Atar 9C Speed: 2350km/h Ceiling: 20000m Range: 1200km Armament: 2*g30mm 4000kg Mirage 50, Dassault Development of the Mirage III/ 5 series. The 50 has the higher-powered Atar 9K-50 engine. Type: Mirage 50 Function: fighter-bomber Year: 1979 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 70.6kN SNECMA Atar 9K-50 Wing Span: 8.22m Length: 15.56m Height: 4.50m Wing Area: 35m2 Empty Weight: 7150kg Max.Weight: 13700kg Speed: M2.2 Ceiling: 18000m Range: Armament: 2*g30mm Mirage 2000, Dassault-Breguet The Mirage 2000 reverted to the familiar delta wing of the Mirage III, in a new, sophisticated form with slats and small canards. As light air-superiority fighter, it achieved some succes, despite the competition of the F-16 and F-18. The Mirage 2000C is the fighter version; the Mirage 2000N is a two-seat nuclear-armed strike aircraft, and the 2000D a conventional attack aircraft. Type: Mirage 2000C Function: fighter Year: 1983 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 95.0kN SNECMA M53-P2 Wing Span: 9.13m Length: 14.36m Height: 5.20m Wing Area: 41m2 Empty Weight: 7500kg Max.Weight: 17000kg Speed: M2.35 Ceiling: 17060m Range: 3335km Armament: 2*g30mm 6300kg Mirage 4000, Dassault-Breguet The twin-engined Mirage 4000 was developed by Dassault, presumably to be used in a high/low mix with the Mirage 2000. The French air force showed no interest in this canarded delta. No production. Mirage F.1, Dassault The Mirage F.1 replaced the familiar delta wing of the Mirage with a swept wing, set at shoulder height and fitted with flaps and slats. This was combined with a low-set slab tailplane. The F.1 did not achieve the enormous sales of the Mirage III, but was nevertheless sold to France, Ecuador, Greece, Iraq, Libya, Marocco, Quatar, Jordania, South-Africa, and Spain. A more advanced version, the F.1E with a M53 engine, lost the NATO fighter competition to the F-16. South-Africa is considering the replacement of the Atar 9K with the Russian Klimov SMR 95 engine (a development of the RD-33 in the MiG-29). Type: Mirage F.1C Function: fighter Year: 1970 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 7200kg SNECMA Atar 9K-50 Wing Span: 9.32m Length: 15.30m Height: 4.50m Wing Area: 25.00m2 Empty Weight: 7400kg Max.Weight: 16200kg Speed: 2740km/h Ceiling: 20000m Range: 1390km Armament: 2*g30mm 6300kg Mirage G8 Experimental variable geometry fighter, a twin-engined aircraft with the typical elegant Miarge lines. Wing sweep could be set between 26 and 70 degrees. No production. Mirage Milan A version of the Mirage III with a rectractable 'moustache' in the nose and the more powerful Atar 9K-50 engine, developed for Switzerland. No production. Mirage NG The Mirage NG (nouvelle generation) was a proposed update program for the Mirage III/5 series. Mistral, Sud-Est SE 530 (532, 535) French version of the British twin-boom single-seat jet fighter. Type: SE 535 Function: fighter Year: 1952 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2270kg Hispano-R.R. Nene 104 Speed: 925km/h Ceiling: Range: 1800km Armament: 4*g20mm 2*b450kg MS.27, Morane-Saulnier See AI. MS.29, Morane-Saulnier See AI. MS.30, Morane-Saulnier See AI. MS.121, Morane-Saulnier Light fighter, a parasol monoplane. The MS 121 was underpowered; no production. Type: MS.121 Function: fighter Year: 1927 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 465hp Hispano-Suiza 12Jb Speed: 257km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm MS.225, Morane-Saulnier (226, 227) The stubby MS 225 parasol-wing fighter with its radial engine was built in small numbers -- 78 were built -- but was known as an excellent aircraft for aerobatics. The 226 was a carrier-borne version. Type: MS.225 Function: fighter Year: 1933 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 500hp Gnome-Rhone 9Kbrs Speed: 333km/h Ceiling: 9900m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm MS.230, Morane-Saulnier Trainer. 230hp Salmson 9 Ab engine. MS.275, Morane-Saulnier (278) Development of the MS.225. Experimental only. MS.315, Morane-Saulnier Parasol-wing trainer. 135hp Salmson 9 Nc engine. MS.325, Morane-Saulnier Low-wing fighter monoplane, with fixed landing gear and open cockpit. Aerodynamic problems prevented further development. Type: MS.325 Function: fighter Year: 1932 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 690hp Hispano-Suiza 12Xcrs Speed: 375km/h Ceiling: 12000m Range: Armament: MS.326, Morane-Saulnier High-wing trainer and liaison aircraft. MS.405, Morane-Saulnier (406, 407, 408, 409) Monoplane fighter. The MS.406 was not a bad aircraft, but too slow and too lightly armed to fight the Bf 109. It was also by Finland, Switzerland, and Turkey; other export aircraft were impressed by the Armee de l'Air. Finland built a development with a Soviet klimov 105P engine (itself derived from the original Hispano-Suiza engine) and a German 20mm cannon, the Morko Moraani. Type: MS.406 Function: fighter Year: 1938 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 860hp Hispano-Suiza 12Y31 Speed: 490km/h Ceiling: 9400m Range: 750km Armament: 1*g20mm 2*mg7.5mm MS.410, Morane-Saulnier (411, 420) Improved MS.406. 79 were built by conversion of MS.406s. MS.450, Morane-Saulnier Monoplane fighter. no production, because the Dewoitine D.520 was already in production and the MS.450 had no advantages over it. Three built. Type: MS.450 Function: fighter Year: 1939 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1050hp Hispano-Suiza 12Y51 Speed: 560km/h Ceiling: Range: 750km Armament: 1*g20mm 2*mg7.5mm MS.472 Vanneau, Morane-SAulnier (474) See Vanneau. MS.500 Criquet, Morane Saulnier (501, 502) See Criquet. MS.540, Morane-Saulnier Development of the MS.450. Built in Switzerland as the D-3802. MS.733 Alcyon, Morane-Saulnier See Alcyon. MS.775 Fleuret, Morane-Saulnier See Fleuret. MS.1500 Epervier, Morane-Saulnier. See Epervier. Mureaux 110 (112, 113, 114, 115, 117) Parasol monoplane. Built as observation, attack, reconaissance-bomber or night-fighter aircraft. Over 100 were still in service on 10 May 1940, not yet replaced by the Potez 63.11. 297 built. Type: 115 R2 B2 Function: observation Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 650hp Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs Speed: 340km/h Ceiling: 10400m Range: 1500km Armament: 1*g20mm 4*mg7.5mm 300kg Mureaux 170 Fighter. Mureaux 180 Fighter. Mureaux 190 Fighter. Mystere II, Dassault The Mystere II was a development of the Ouragan with a thinner, swept wing. Approx 150 were built for the French air force. Mystere IV, Dassault The Mystere IV was a completely redesigned aircraft. Other developments had a radar nose and chin or side intakes. Approx 600 built for France, Israel and India. Type: Mystere IVA Function: fighter Year: 1952 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 3497kg Hispano-Suiza Verdon 350 Wing Span: 11.12m Length: 12.85m Height: 4.60m Wing Area: 32m2 Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: 1120km/h Ceiling: 13715m Range: 917km Armament: 2*g30mm 908kg Mystere, Dassault (10, 20, 100, 200, 500) See Falcon. --N--------------------------------------------------------------------------- N, Morane-Saulnier Mid-wing monoplane, the first French fighter aicraft. The type N was fitted with fixed gun, but no synchronization gear; it used deflectors on the propellor blades instead, as pioneered by Roland Garros on a type L. The N was less popular than the parasol monoplanes; 49 built. Type: N Function: reconaissance / fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone 9J Speed: 165km/h Ceiling: 4000m Range: 1h 30m Armament: 1*mg N, R.E.P. Monoplane reconaissance aircraft. Brief service in 1915. Type: N Function: reconaissance Year: 1914 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 80hp Gnome Speed: 116km/h Ceiling: Range: N 262 Fregate, Nord / Aerospatiale See Fregate N 500, Aerospatiale See Nord 500 N 1400 Noroit, SCAN (1401, 1402) Twin-engined maritime patrol amphibian. The NC 1400 was an elegant design, apart from the odd three-fin tail and non-retractable stabilising floats. The first prototype, flown in 1949, had SNECMA 14R engines, the two N 1401s had Bristol Hercules engines, and the production model N 1402 had 2040hp Junkers Jumo 213 engines. Of the latter 28 were built. They served some years with the Aeronavale. N 2200, Nord See Nord 2200. N 3202, Aerospatiale See Nord 3202 Narval, Sud-Ouest SO 8000 The Narval was a twin-boom pusher aircraft with slightly swept wings, intended as a shipboard fighter/attack aircraft. The engine was a copy of the German Jumo 213. Development was problematic and finally the Naravl was cancelled. Type: SO 8000 Narval Function: fighter / attack Year: 1949 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2250hp Arsenal 12 Speed: 730km/h Ceiling: Range: 4500km Armament: 6*g20mm 1000kg NC.223 Development of the F.222. Complete redesign, first flown in 1937, entered service in 1940. The NC.223 had a new, metal wing. About 13 built. Type: NC.223.3 Function: bomber Year: 1940 Crew: 5-6 Engines: 4 * 910hp Hispano-Suiza 12Y29 Wing Span: 33.58m Length: 22.00m Height: 5.08m Wing Area: 132.40m2 Empty Weight: 10550kg Max.Weight: 19200kg Speed: 400km/h Ceiling: 8000m Range: 2400km Armament: 2*g20mm 1*mg7.5mm 4190kg NC 470, Farman (471, 472) Floatplane trainer; some were used for reconaissance in 1939. Germany captured 14 in 1942. Approx 24 built. Type: NC 470 Function: trainer / reconaissance Year: Crew: 6 Engines: 2 * 480hp Gnome-Rhone 9Akx Jupiter Speed: 230km/h Ceiling: 6000m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.5mm 200kg NC-530, Hanriot The NC-530 reconaissance monoplane with its bulky, deep fuselage and fixed landing gear was obsolete before it flew. Two built. Type: NC-530 Function: reconaissance Year: 1940 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 700hp Gnome-Rhone 14M Speed: 410km/h Ceiling: 8500m Range: 1800km Armament: 3*mg7.5mm 500kg NC-600, Hanriot The NC-600 was a very promising twin-engined fighter, but its development was ignored by the air force. Only two prototypes were built. Type: NC-600 Function: fighter Year: 1939 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 700hp Gnome-Rhone MO/01 Speed: 542km/h Ceiling: 8000m Range: 860km Armament: 3*g20mm 2*mg NC 701 French version of the German Siebel Si 204 twin-engined light transport. NC 900 The German Focke-Wulf Fw 190A in French service. Their lifespan was short, because there were problems with the spare parts for the engines -- these had been made for Germany by the French industry, and were of low quality... NC 1071, Aerocentre Twin-engined naval jet bomber. The NC.1071 had enormous underwing engine nacelles, which also carried the tailfins! These were connected by a tailplane on top. The single prototype was abandoned after suffering structural damage in a flight to Mach 0.7. Type: NC.1071 Function: bomber Year: 1948 Crew: Engines: 2 * R.R. Nene Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: NC 1080, Aerocentre Shipboard fighter design. The NC 1080 was a clean low-wing jet fighter with side intakes, and swept wings and tail surfaces. One built. Type: NC 1080 Function: fighter Year: 1948 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 23kN R.R. Nene Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Ni-140, Nieuport Two-seat shipboard monoplane. The angular 140 had a low-wing, inverted gull configuration with trousered landing gear. Two built. Type: Ni-140 Function: fighter Year: 1935 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 690hp Hispano-Suiza 12Xcrs Speed: 330km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.5mm 200kg Ni-160, Nieuport Fighter. See LN 601. NiD-29, Nieuport-Delage Biplane fighter with a wooden monocoque fuselage. The NiF-29 was a maneuvrable and sturdy aircraf that was built in large numbers for France, Japan, Argentina, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Sweden. The 29G had a rotary engine, but most versions had liquid-cooled in-line engines. Type: NiD-29 Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 300hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 237km/h Ceiling: 8200m Range: 480km Armament: 2*mg NiD-37, Nieuport-Delage The NiD-37 was a similar shoulder-wing layout as the Nieuport 31, but had very different lines, bulkier and with another cockpit position. The NiD-37 was innovative in having a turbo-supercharger, but was overweight. Type: NiD-37 Function: fighter Year: 1923 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 300hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb Speed: 250km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm NiD-42, Nieuport-Delage Sesquiplane fighter, originally designed and flown as a parasol monoplane but later modified by addition of a small wing. The NiD-42 was built in single-seat and two-seat versions. Few built. Type: NiD-42 C1 Function: fighter Year: 1924 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 450hp Hispano-Suiza 12Ha Speed: 266km/h Ceiling: Range: 400km Armament: 4*mg7.7mm NiD-43, Nieuport-Delage Seaplane fighter. The twin floats of the NiD-43 were only sufficient for keeping the propellor clear of the water; the aft fuselage was watertight. One built. Type: NiD-43 Function: fighter Year: 1924 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 500hp Hispano-Suiza 12Hb Speed: 200km/h Ceiling: Range: 2h 30m Armament: 4*mg7.7mm NiD-44, Nieuport-Delage Reengined NiD-42. 450hp Lorraine-Dietrich 12Eb engine. NiD-46, Nieuport-Delage Reengined NiD-42. 500hp Hispano-Suiza 12Gb engine. NiD-48, Nieuport-Delage A scaled-down, parasol monoplane development of the NiD-42, intended as a light fighter. No production. Type: NiD-48 Function: fighter Year: 1926 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 400hp Hispano-Suiza 12Jb Speed: 276km/h Ceiling: Range: 1h 30m Armament: 2*mg7.7mm NiD-52, Nieuport-Delage Development of the NiD-42, similar to the NiD-62 but with more metal construction parts. The NiD-52 was not accepted by France, but license-built in Spain. Type: NiD-52 Function: fighter Year: 1927 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 500hp Hispano-Suiza 12Hb Speed: 260km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm NiD-62, Nieuport-Delage (622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 629) Development of the NiD-42. Built in large numbers, despite their obsolesence. 675 built. Retired in 1932. Type: NiD-62b Function: fighter Year: 1928 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 500hp Hispano-Suiza 12 Md Speed: 270km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Type: NiD-622 C1 Function: fighter Year: 1930 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 580hp Hispano-Suiza 12Hb Speed: 270km/h Ceiling: 7700m Range: 900km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm NiD-72, Nieuport-Delage Similar to the NiD-52, but with even more metal parts -- light alloy replaced fabric wing skinning. Small number built. Type: NiD-72 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 500hp Hispano-Suiza 12Hb Speed: 268km/h Ceiling: Range: 600km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm NiD-82, Nieuport-Delage Parasol-wing monoplane fighter, having only a configurational similarity with the NiD-42 series. The design was considered outdated; no production. Type: Function: fighter Year: 1931 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 500hp Lorraine 12Ha Petrel Speed: 281km/h Ceiling: Range: 520km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm NiD-121, Nieuport-Delage (122, 123, 125) All-metal parasol monoplane fighter. The low-wing Dewoitine D.500 was selected for production. The 123 for Peru had interchangeable wheeled and float undercarriage. Type: NiD-122 Function: fighter Year: 1932 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 690hp Hispano-Suiza 12Xbrs Speed: 363km/h Ceiling: Range: 800km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm NiD-140, Nieuport-Delage See Ni-140. NiD-225, Nieuport-Delage Shoulder-wing monoplane fighter, developed in parallel with the NiD-125 version of the NiD-121. Two built. Nieuport This was a very unusual triplane; the middle wing was fitted ahead of the lower wing, just in front of the engine, and the upper wing was behind the pilot. The fuselage of a 17 or 17bis was used. Handling was bad and the aircraft never received a productiopn designation. Type: Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone Speed: 176km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Nieuport A single-seat fighter biplane was built with a 150hp Hispano-Suiza engine, to compete with the SPAD VII. It did not receive a designation. Nieuport An enlarged development of the Nieuport 28 with a 200hp Clerget 11E engine Nieuport 10 did not receive a designation. Type: Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 200hp Clerget 11E Speed: 200km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Nieuport Biplane fighter with a monococque fuselage that did not receive a designation. Type: Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 170hp Le Rhone 9R Speed: 198km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Nieuport A fighter monoplane. It had a braced shoulder wing and an aerofoil surface covering the wheel axis. The fuselage was of circular cross section. No production; no designation. Type: Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 180hp Le Rhone 9R Speed: 220km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Nieuport Biplane fighter, powered by a liquid-cooled in-line engine instead of the usual rotary engines of Nieuport fighters. A similar prototype had a Hispano-Suiza engine. No designation; no production. Type: Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 240hp 240hp Lorraine Dietrich 8Bb Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Nieuport Two-seat reconaissance biplane. It was often used as single-seat fighter, until the purpose-designed Nieuport 11 was delivered. Nieuport 11 Bebe A neat little sesquiplane with a Lewis gun on the upper wing. The Nieuport 11 was the first Allied fighter that was superior to the Fokker E. Some were fitted with Le prieur rockets at the typical V-styles of the wing, for use against obersvation balloons. The Niueport 11 and 17 had an upper and lower wing of equal length, but the lower wing had a very narrow chord. Type: Nieuport 11 Function: fighter Year: 1915 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 80hp Le Rhone 9C Speed: 156km/h Ceiling: 4600m Range: Armament: 1*mg Nieuport 12 Two-seat reconaissance biplane. A more powerful development of the Nieuport 10. Type: 12 Function: reconaissance Year: 1915 Crew: 1-2 Engines: 1 * 130hp Clerget 9B Speed: 155km/h Ceiling: 4700m Range: Armament: 1-2*mg Nieuport 14 Two-seat bomber biplane. The Nieuport 14 was quickly replaced. Type: 14 Function: bomber Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 150hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 109km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Nieuport 16 More powerful development of the 11 with a 110hp engine and a synchronized gun -- handling suffered becusqe of the higher wing loading. Few were built, and the Niueport 17 quickly replaced them. Type: 16 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone 9J Speed: 165km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Nieuport 17 The 17 was basically an enlarged, refined Nieuport 11, sometimes fitted with a synchronized gun instead of the Lewis on the upper wing. It was the most important French fighter until the introduction of the Spad VII; at some time it equipped every French fighter unit. Also sold to Italy, Belgium, Russia, The Netherlands, Finland and the USA. The less sucessfull 17bis had a Clerget engine instead of the usual Le Rhone, and two guns; this had faired-in fuselage sides instead of the usual flat ones. Type: 17 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone 9Ja Speed: 165km/h Ceiling: Range: 250km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm Nieuport 18 Single-seat fighter, possibly a development of the 11. 80hp Le Rhone engine. No production. Nieuport 20 Version of the Nie 12 with a 110hp Clerget engine. Small number built for the Britsh RFC. Type: 20 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 110hp Clerget Speed: 157km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Nieuport 21 Lower-powered development of the 17, intended as a trainer but often used as a operational fighter. Also known as the 17B, not to be confused with the 17bis... Type: 21 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 80hp Le Rhone 9C Speed: 150km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Nieuport 23 Version of the Nieuport 17 with minor modifications. 120hp Le Rhone 9Jb engine. Nieuport 24 Development of the Nieuport 17. The 24 was little better, but was nevertheless ordered in quantity. Type: 24 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 130hp Le Rhone 9Jb Speed: 176km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Nieuport 25 Development of the Nieuport 17. Few built. This name is also sometimes applied, in error, to another 17 derivative. Type: 25 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 200hp Clerget 11E Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Nieuport 27 Last development of the 17 series, a Nieuport 24 with a few changes. The 27 could not compete with the Spad fighters, but was built in quantity. Type: 27 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 130hp Le Rhone 9Jby Speed: 172km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Nieuport 28 The Nieuport 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 24 and 27 all had a similar configuration of fuselage and wings, with V-styles and very narrow chord lower wings. The 28 was a departure from this concept; it was a normal biplane with a fuselage of slender circular cross-section. The 28 was not very reliable and underpowered, but the American expeditionary force bought large numbers because no other modern fighter aircraft were available. Type: 28 Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 160hp Gnome Monosoupape 9N Speed: 196km/h Ceiling: 5180m Range: 1h 30m Armament: 2*mg Nieuport 29 See NiD 29. Nieuport 31 Development of the earlier Nieuport monoplane prototypes; a shoulder-wing aircraft with a wide aerofoil s'ection covering the landing gear. Did not enter production, despite good performance. Type: 31 Function: fighter Year: 1919 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 180hp Le Rhone 9R Speed: 230km/h Ceiling: Range: 2h Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Nieuport 32 Shipboard derivative of the Nieuport 29, fitted with a le Rhone rotary engine. No production. Type: 32 Function: fighter Year: 1920 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 180hp Le Rhone 9R Speed: 194km/h Ceiling: Range: 4h Armament: Noratlas, Nord 2501 Twin-boom transport aircraft, similar in layout to the Fairchild C-119 but twin-engined. Proved itself in more than 20 years of service. Type: 2501 Noratlas Function: transport Year: 1950 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 2040hp SNECMA Hercules 730 Speed: 440km/h Ceiling: 7500m Range: 2500km Load: 45 seats 8458kg Nord 500 Small experimental VTOL aircraft. The Nord 500 was a short, bulbous fuselage fitted with two enormous ducted fans; all aerofoils were within the airstream of the fans. Nord 1001 (1002) French-built Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun. Nord 1100 Ramier (1101, 1102) French version of the Messerschmitt Bf 208, development of the Bf 108 Taifun with tricycle undercarriage. Type: 1101 Function: liaison Year: 1946 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 220hp Renault 6Q10A engine. Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Nord 1750 Experimental helicopter. 1 * 400hp Turbomeca Artouste Nord 2200 Shipboard jet fighter. The 2200 had an elliptical nose intake and moderate wing sweep. Performance was mediocre. One built. Type: 2200 Function: fighter Year: 1949 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2268kg Hispano-Suiza Nene 102 Speed: 936km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 3*g Nord 2501 See Noratlas. Nord 3200 (3202) Piston-engined low-wing trainer. Type: 3202 Function: trainer Year: 1959 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 260hp Potez 4D-32 Speed: 260km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Nord 3400 Two-seat high-wing liaison and observation aircraft. 147+ built. 1958. --O--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Omega, Aerospatiale Turboprop-engined (364kW Arrius 1A2) development of the Epsilon. Prototype only. Ouragan, Dassault MD-450 First French jet-engined fighter. The Ouragan was a simple but elegant aircraft with a circular nose intake and straight wings. The thick wing limited performance. Over 450 built. Some saw combat in Israeli service. Type: Ouragan Function: fighter Year: 1949 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2270kg Hispano-Suiza/R.R. Nene 104B Wing Span: 13.16m Length: 10.74m Height: 4.14m Wing Area: 23.80m2 Empty Weight: 4142kg Max.Weight: 7900kg Speed: 940km/h Ceiling: 13000m Range: 920km Armament: 4*g20mm 2*454kg --P--------------------------------------------------------------------------- P, Morane-Saulnier Development of the L and LA parasol monoplanes. 565 built. There were also two single-seat fighter versions. Type: P Function: reconaissance Year: 1914 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone Speed: Ceiling: 4876m Range: 2h 30m Armament: 1-2*mg Paris, Morane-Saulnier MS.760 Development of the Fleuret. A twin-jet liaison aircraft, a straight-wing aircraft with a T-tail. Paul Schmitt 7 Large bomber biplane, slow, vulnerable and obsolescent. Retired after a few months of service. Type: 7 Function: bomber Year: 1917 Crew: Engines: 1 * 265hp Renault Speed: 135km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: PC-7, Pilatus Five were ordered of the Swiss turboprop trainer, for use as chase aircraft. (The Embraer Tucano was selected as trainer.) Pelican, Caudron C.510 Light civil aircraft, impressed in 1939. Type: C.510 Function: liaison / ambulance Year: 1935 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 100hp Renault 4Pei Speed: 177km/h Ceiling: 4500m Range: Load: 2-3 seats Phalene, Caudron C.400 (410) Military version of the C.280-series Phalene light aircraft, that first flew in 1932. The C.400 was a high-wing cabin monoplane, powered by a 89kW Renault 4Pdi Bengali engine. Fourty were bought by the Armee de l'Air, as liaison aircraft, ambulance and VIP transport. The C.410 had a 104kW Renault 4Pei engine. The last were retired in 1960. Type: C.282/8 Phalene (civil version) Function: utility Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 108kW Renault 4Pdi Bengali Wing Span: 11.62m Length: 8.25m Height: 2.05m Wing Area: 25.35m2 Empty Weight: 550kg Max.Weight: 1100kg Speed: 185km/h Ceiling: 4500m Range: 850km Load: 3 seats PL.200, Levasseur Monoplane seaplane, perhaps resembling in appearance the Savoia-Marchetti S.55, but single-engined. Type: PL.200 Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 750hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 241km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: PL.7, Levasseur Long-range carrier-based torpedo-bomber. 41 built. Some were still in service in 1939. Type: PL.7 Function: torpedo-bomber Year: 1926 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 600hp Hispano-Suiza 12Lbr Speed: 170km/h Ceiling: 2875m Range: 650km Armament: PL.10, Levasseur See PL.101 PL.14, Levasseur Torpedo-bomber and reconaissance floatplane. 30 built. Type: PL.14 Function: torpedo-bomber / reconaissance Year: 1929 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 650hp Hispano-Suiza 12Nb Speed: 165km/h Ceiling: 3250m Range: 960km Armament: PL.15, Levasseur Reconaissance foatplane. Type: PL.15 Function: reconaissance Year: 1932 Crew: 2-4 Engines: 1 * 650hp Hispano-Suiza 12Nbr Speed: 190km/h Ceiling: 4000m Range: 1500km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 750kg PL.101, Levasseur (10) The PL.10 and the improved PL.101 were carrier-borne reconaissance biplanes. 60 built. Type: PL.101 Function: reconaissance Year: 1929 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 600hp Hispano-Suiza 12Lb Speed: 220km/h Ceiling: 4200m Range: 550km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm PL.151, Levasseur Redesigned PL.15 with an 'inverted sesquiplane' wing. PL.154, Levasseur PL.15 with a wheeled undercarriage. PL.200, Levasseur Monoplane seaplane, perhaps resembling in appearance the Savoia-Marchetti S.55, but single-engined. Type: PL.200 Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 750hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 241km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: PL.201, Levasseur Improved PL.200. Potez XI Two-seat biplane fighter, intended as interceptor, escort fighter and reconaissance aircraft. The requirement demanded the use of a turbo-supercharger, but the latter was not yet acceptable, due to lack of suitable alloys. No production. Type: XI Function: fighter Year: 1922 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 370hp Lorraine-Dietrich 12D Speed: 220km/h Ceiling: 8000m Range: Armament: 4*mg7.7mm Potez 23 Biplane fighter, one built. Type: Potez 23 Function: fighter Year: 1923 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 400hp Lorraine-Dietrich 12Db Speed: 225km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Potez 24 Two-seat army cooperation biplane. Potez 25 Development of the Potez 24. The Potez 25 was a clean biplane. Nearly 4000 were built, as bomber and reconaissance aicraft but also as mailplanes. The Potez 25M was a parasol monoplane version. Type: 25A.2 Function: reconaissance Year: 1925 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 450hp Lorraine-Dietrich Speed: Ceiling: Range: 500km Armament: Potez 26 Single-seat fighter version of the Potez 25. One built. Type: 26 Function: fighter Year: 1924 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 450hp Hispano-Suiza 12Ha Speed: 250km/h Ceiling: 8500m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Potez 29 Single-engined biplane, used as light transport and ambulance. It was a development of the Potez 25 with a six-seat cabin. Approx 150 built. Type: 29-2 Function: transport Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 450hp Lorraine-Dietrich 12Eb Speed: 210km/h Ceiling: 5200m Range: 500km Load: 5 seats Potez 31 Two-seat parasol monoplane, developed from the Potez 25M. Type: 31 Function: fighter Year: 1929 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 500hp Hisano-Suiza 12Mb Speed: 242km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 5*mg7.7mm Potez 32 (33) Observation and liaison aircraft. Type: 33 Function: observation and liaison Year: 1928 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 230hp Salmson A.B.9 Speed: 180km/h Ceiling: 4500m Range: 670km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Load: 4 seats Potez 39 High-wing observation monoplane. About 250 built. Type: 39 A2 Function: observation Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 720hp Hispano-Suiza 12Xbrs Speed: 286km/h Ceiling: Range: 760km Armament: 5*mg7.7mm Potez 43 (438) Type: 438 Function: liaison Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 120hp Renault 4 Pdi Speed: 170km/h Ceiling: 5000m Range: 700km Load: 1 seat Potez 54 (540, 541, 542, 543) The 540 was intended as a multi-role aircraft, bomber, reconaissance aircraft and heavy fighter. It was a rather ugly high-wing aircraft with engines in nacelles under the wing. Over 270 built. Type: 540 Function: bomber / reconaissance Year: 1934 Crew: 4-5 Engines: 2 * 690hp Hispano-Suiza 12Xirs/Xjrs Speed: 310km/h Ceiling: 10000m Range: 1200km Armament: 3*mg 1000kg Potez 63.11 Designation applied to the reconaissance version of the Potez 630. 748 were built, that proved efficient but very vulnerable in 1940. Type: 63.11 Function: reconaissance Year: 1938 Crew: Engines: 2 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Potez 230 Development of the ANF-Mureaux 190. An all-metal light fighter monoplane. The armistice halted development. One built. Type: 230 Function: fighter Year: 1940 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 670hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: 560km/h Ceiling: Range: 1h 30m Armament: 1*g20mm 4*mg7.5mm Potez 400 (402, 403) Type: 402 Function: transport / ambulance Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 3 * 300hp Lorraine 'Algol' Speed: 230km/h Ceiling: Range: 1140km Load: 8 seats Potez 438 (43) See Potez 43. Potez 450 (452) Single-engined flying boat, a catapult-launched shipboard aircraft. 17 built. Type: 452 Function: observation Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 350hp Hispano-Suiza 9Qd Speed: 217km/h Ceiling: 5500m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.5mm Potez 453 Single-seat flying boat fighter, a parasol monoplane broadly based on the 452. No production. Type: 453 Function: fighter Year: 1933 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 800hp Hispano-Suiza 14Hbs Speed: 318km/h Ceiling: Range: 540km Armament: 2*mg7.5mm Potez 540 (54, 541, 542, 543) See Potez Potez 54. Potez 630 (631, 633, 637, 63.11) Multi-role combat aircraft, a clean twin-engined low-wing monoplane. The 630 was a fighter, 633 an attack aircraft, 63.11 a reconaissance aircraft. Over 1100 were built. Type: 630 Function: fighter Year: 1938 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 725hp Hispano-Suiza 14AB Speed: 440km/h Ceiling: 10000m Range: 1225km Armament: 2*g20mm 1*mg Potez 650 Twin-engined, high-wing transport aircraft. The engines were in underwing nacelles. Potez 670 (671) Three-seat fighter, a clean monoplane with an elliptical wing and twin tial fins. Development was halted by the French defeat in 1940. Type: 670 Function: fighter Year: 1939 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 800hp Hispano-Suiza 14AB 12/13 Speed: 500km/h Ceiling: Range: 2000km Armament: Potez-C.A.M.S. 141 Long-range reconaissance flying boat. One built. Type: 141 Function: reconaissance Year: 1938 Crew: 9-12 Engines: 1 * 930hp Hispano-Suiza 12Y 26/27 Speed: 320km/h Ceiling: 5600m Range: 2400km Armament: 6*mg7.5mm 1500kg Provence, Breguet Br 761 (763, 765) The air force ordered 15 of the military Br 765 Sahara version of this transport aircraft, but also accepted six Br 763 from Air France. The Provence was a big four-engined transport with a deep, two-deck fuselage and twin tail fins. Type: Br 763 Function: transport Year: 1951 Crew: 4 Engines: 4 * 1765kW P&W R-2800-CA18 Double Wasp Wing Span: 42.99m Length: 28.94m Height: 9.55m Wing Area: 185.4m2 Empty Weight: 32535kg Max.Weight: 51600kg Speed: 390km/h Ceiling: 7315m Range: 2290km. Load: 107 seats. PS 194X, Paul Schmitt Seaplane. Large orders were cancelled after the 1918 armistice. Type: PS 194X Function: reconaissance Year: 1918 Crew: 3 Engines: * Liberty Speed: 195km/h Ceiling: Range: 3h 45m Armament: 3*mg Puma, Aerospatiale SA 300, 330 Twin-engined medium transport and utility helicopter. 686 built. Type: SA 330J Puma Function: transport Year: 1973 Crew: Engines: 2 * 1175kW Turbomeca Turmo IVC Speed: 258km/h Ceiling: 4800m Range: 550km Armament: --Q--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --R--------------------------------------------------------------------------- R 1, Rey Elegant twin-engined test aircraft. Two were built. The outer wing panels of the R 1 were articulated at the engine nacelles. This was intended to reduce the effects of turbulence. First flown in 1949. Two 220hp Renault 6G engines. R.4, Caudron Bomber, mostly used as reconaissance aircraft. 249 built. Type: R.4 Function: bomber Year: 1915 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 97kW Renault 12Db Wing Span: 21.10m Length: 11.80m Height: Wing Area: 70m2 Empty Weight: 1710kg Max.Weight: 2330kg Speed: 136km/h Ceiling: 4600m Range: 3h Armament: 4*mg7.7mm 100kg R.11, Caudron Twin-engined biplane bomber. The R.11 was smaller and lighter than the R.4, but it was not very suitable as a bomber. It was used as an escort aircraft, with considerable success. Type: R.11 Function: bomber Year: 1918 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 220hp Hispano-Suiza 8B Wing Span: 17.92m Length: 16.97m Height: 2.80m Wing Area: 54.25m2 Empty Weight: 1422kg Max.Weight: 2167kg Speed: 183km/h Ceiling: 5950m Range: 3h Armament: 5*mg7.7mm 120kg R.82, Romano Two-seat trainer. R.83, Romano This was a clandestine development of the R.90, intended for the Spanish Republican government. The designation R.83 was applied to create the impression that it was a development of the R.82, and was assembled in Belgium and delivered with a 280hp Salmson engine. Six built. Type: R.83 Function: fighter Year: 1938 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 450hp P&W R-985 Wasp Junior Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: R.90, Romano Biplane fighter seaplane, of mixed construction and with a gulled upper wing. Despite extensive changes and re-engining, the R.90 failed to attract orders. Type: R.90 Function: fighter Year: 1935 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * Hispano-Suiza 14Hbrs Speed: 368km/h Ceiling: Range: 650km Armament: R.92, Romano Development of the R.90 for the Spanish Republican government. One built. Type: R.92 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 900hp Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs-1 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*g20mm R.110, Romano The R.110 was a three-seat fighter, originally intended as flying command post for single-seat fighters. One built. Type: R.110 Function: fighter Year: 1938 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 450hp Renault 12 Ro 2/3 Speed: 470km/h Ceiling: Range: 1280km Armament: 2*g20mm 1*mg7.5mm Rafale, Dassault-Breguet New French fighter. France decided to build its own new generation fighter, because the European EFA was too heavy for carrier use and too costly for export. Rafale is also a canarded delta, but has less angular lines than EFA. The Rafale M is the carrier-based version. Type: Rafale C Function: fighter Year: (1996) Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 7500kg SNECMA M88-2 Wing Span: 10.90m Length: 15.30m Height: 5.34m Wing Area: Empty Weight: 9060kg Max.Weight: 19500kg Speed: M2 Ceiling: 18290m Range: 1853km Armament: 1*g30mm Rallye, Socata Low-wing cabin monoplane, built in large numbers for the civilian market, but some are in military service. Republique, Lebaudy Dirigible, used by the French army on its 1908 manoeuvres. REP Parasol monoplane, built by Robert Esnault Pelterie. Roussel 30 Single-seat lightweight fighter, a low-wing monoplane. Development was halted by the German attack in 1940. One built. Type: 30 Function: fighter Year: 1939 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 690hp Gnome-Rhone 14M7 Speed: 520km/h Ceiling: Range: 2h Armament: 2*g20mm 250kg --S--------------------------------------------------------------------------- S.VII, Spad A clean, sturdy biplane fighter that finally equipped most French, Italian, American and Belgian fighter units, as well as being sold to many other countries after WWI. It was the most important French fighter of WWI. Over 15000 Spad fighters were built, of the types VII and XIII. Type: S.VII Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 180hp Hispano-Suiza 8Ab Speed: 212km/h Ceiling: Range: 1h 30m Armament: S.XI, Spad Two-seat reconaissance aircraft. The XI had a similar but longer fuselage than the VII and staggered wings. It was a failure, because of stability and engine problems that also made it unsuitable as a fighter. One was built as a night fighter with a searchflight fitted in front of the propellor. Over 1000 built. Type: S.XI Function: reconaissance Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 235hp Hispano-Suiza 8 Speed: 176km/h Ceiling: 7000m Range: 2h 15m Armament: 2-3*mg 70kg S.XII, Spad This was a development of the S.VII, asked for by Guynemer, with a 37mm cannon. It was a single-shot weapon, firing trhough the hollow propellor shaft. 300 were ordered, but very few entered service. Type: S.XII Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 220hp Hispano-Suiza 8CB Speed: 203km/h Ceiling: Range: 1h 45m Armament: 1*g37mm 1*mg7.7mm S.XIII, Spad Improved VII, larger, refined and far more powerful. The S.XIII was a good gun platform, fast, sturdy and powerful, but it was not easy to fly and the engine was not entirely satisfactory. About 7300 built. Type: S.XIII Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 220hp Hispano-Suiza 8 Bc Speed: 218km/h Ceiling: 6550m Range: 1h 40m Armament: 2*mg7.7mm S.XIV, Spad Development of the S.XII as twin-float seaplane fighter. 40 were built. They were fast but the 37mm cannon was not a very effective weapon. Type: S.XIV Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 220hp Hispano-Suiza 8Bc Speed: 205km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*g37mm 1*mg7.7mm S.XV, Spad Small single-seat fighter biplane with a wooden monococque fuselage. The S.XV was not a success. No production. Type: S.XV Function: fighter Year: 1917 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 160hp Gnome Monosoupape Speed: 199km/h Ceiling: Range: 2h 30m Armament: S.XVII, Spad Development of the S.XIII, stronger and with a roomier fuselage. Only 20 built. Type: S.XVII Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 300hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb Speed: 217km/h Ceiling: Range: 1h 15m Armament: S.XVIII, Spad The S.XVIII had a monocoque fuselage and I-struts. It was intended for the 37mm cannon firing throught the propeller shaft, and had a 300hp Hispano-Suiza 8G engine. It was soon abandoned when the engine ran into devlopment problems. S.XX, Spad Redesign of the S.XVIII with twin 7.7mm guns and the HS 8Fb engine. It had provision for two crew members, but was intended to be flown as a single-seater in combat, similar to the tactics adopted by the British Bristol F.2B 'Fighter'. Large orders were placed, but production was cut short by the end of WWI at 95 built. The S.XX then became a succesfull racing aircraft. Type: S.XX Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1-2 Engines: 1 * 300hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb Wing Span: 9.72m Length: 7.3m Height: 2.8m Wing Area: 30m2 Empty Weight: 867kg Max.Weight: 1306kg Speed: 229km/h Ceiling: 8000m Range: 400km Armament: 2-3*mg7.7mm S.XXI, Spad Similar to the S.XVII, but with small changes to the wings. No production. Type: S.XXI Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 300hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb Speed: 221km/h Ceiling: Range: 1h 40m Armament: 2*mg7.7mm S.XXII, Spad The S.VII and its developments had restricted vision from the cockpit. The S.XII was an attempt to cure this by using a sweptback upper wing and a forward swept lower wing, so that the trailing edge of the upper wing was ahead of the cockpit instead of over it, and the leading edge of the lower wing only just before the cockpit. No production. Type: S.XXII Function: fighter Year: 1919 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 300hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm S.XXIV, Spad Essentially a wheeled version of the S.XIV, intended as a carrier-based fighter. It was abandoned because, in 1918, the basic aircraft was already outdated. S.31, Spad This was two-seat fighter floatplane, based on the S.XX. One built, sold to Japan in 1921. S.81, Spad Biplane fighter. 1921. S.510, Spad The last French biplane fighter, that served in small numbers in Spain and briefly during the beginning of WWII. The S.510 was a relarively clean biplane, but had fixed landing gear and an open cockpit. Fuel system and undercarriage were weak. It was relegated to second-line service on the outbreak of WWII. 61 built. Type: S.510 Function: fighter Year: 1935 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 690hp Hispano-Suiza 12Xbrs Wing Span: 8.84m Length: 7.46m Height: 3.41m Wing Area: 22m2 Empty Weight: 1250kg Max.Weight: 1677kg Speed: 372km/h Ceiling: 10500m Range: 875km Armament: 4*mg7.5mm S.710, Spad Last Spad fighter. Only one built, that crashed in 1937. SA.1, Spad One solution for the fitting of a forward-firing gun to a tractor aircraft was fitting a nacelle for the gunner in front of the propellor. This was not a very good idea: communication between pilot and gunner was nearly impossible, and the gunner was in danger of being hit by the propellor or crushed by the engine if the aircraft nosed over. Otherwise the SA.1 was a conventional biplane. Very few built. Type: SA.1 Function: fighter Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 80hp Le Rhone Speed: 135km/h Ceiling: Range: 2h 45m Armament: 1*mg7.7mm SA.2, Spad Development of the SA.1. About 100 were built, but over half were delivered to Russia and the rest did not see much use. Type: SA.2 Function: fighter Year: 1915 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone Speed: 140km/h Ceiling: Range: 3h Armament: 1*mg7.7mm SA.3, Spad The SA.3 was of identical concept as the SA.1 and SA.2, with a gunner in a small nacelle fitted in front of the propellor. But the pilot was now also provided with a gun on a flexible mounting, and the SA.3 could be piloted from either cockpit! One built. Type: SA.3 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone 9J Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm SA.4, Spad Russia had bought more than half of the SA.2s, and despite the bad concept and obsolence of the type, the SA.4 was developed for Russia. Only 10 were built. Type: SA.4 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 80hp Le Rhone Speed: 154km/h Ceiling: Range: 2h 30m Armament: 1*mg7.7mm SAB 1 Single-seat fighter biplane. One built. Type: 1 Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 300hp Hispano-Suiza 8Fb Speed: 210km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Sahara, Breguet Br 765 Military version of the Breguet Br.761/763 Provence, a four-engined transport aircraft with a deep, two-deck fuselage. 15 built. Salmson 2 Fast, well-armed and sturdy reconaissance biplane, the best French reconaissance aircraft of WWI. It was also used as bomber and attack aircraft. Over 3200 were built. Type: 2 Function: reconaissance Year: 1918 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 260hp Salmson Speed: 185km/h Ceiling: 6250m Range: 3h Armament: 2-3*mg Salmson 3 Single-seat fighter biplane. Not accepted by the Air Force. Type: Salmson 3 Function: fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 230hp Salmson 9Za Speed: 215km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Salmson-Bechereau 5 Two-seat fighter, a shoulder-wing monoplane. No production. Type: 5 Function: fighter Year: 1925 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 520hp Salmson 18Cmb Speed: 223km/h Ceiling: Range: 600km Armament: 4*mg7.7mm Salmson-Bechereau 6 Modified Salmson-Bechereau 5. Performance was insufficient; no production. Type: 6 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 520hp Salmson 18Cmb Speed: 220km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: SB2C Helldiver, Curtiss US-built dive bomber. Used in the war in Indochina. SBC, Curtiss CW 77F Biplane dive-bomber. Delivered just before the defeat of 1940, they were subsequently dumped and let to rot in the French West Indies. S.E.A. 4 Two-seat fighter-reconaissance biplane. 1000 were ordered, but the end of WWI cut production back to 115. Type: 4 Function: reconaissance / fighter Year: 1918 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 370hp Lorraine-Dietrich 12Da Speed: 206km/h Ceiling: Range: 2h 15m Armament: SE 100, Sud-Est (101, 102) Twin-engined fighter, intended as a replacement for the Potez 631. The SE 100 had a relatively short and deep, but well streamlined fuselage, that allowed for a rear gunner to sit at the leading edge of the low-set tailplane. The base of the twin tailfins contained retractable wheels, that were combined with a single nose wheel. An armament of seven 20mm cannon was planned for the second prototype, but this was not completed due to the defeat of 1940. Type: SE 100 Function: fighter Year: 1939 Crew: 2-3 Engines: 2 * 1030hp Gnome-Rhone 14N Speed: 580km/h Ceiling: Range: 1300km Armament: 5*g20mm SE 201 Aquilon, Sud-Est (202, 203, 204) See Aquilon. SE 212 Durandal, Sud-Est See Durandal. SE 530 Mistral, Sud-Est (532, 535) See Mistral. SE 700, Sud-Est Compound helicopter or autogiro. The SE.700 had a streamlined aircraft-like fuselage, with a tractor propellor and a rotor. Type: SE 700 Function: experimental Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 350hp Bearn 6 DO 5 Speed: 165mph Ceiling: Range: 410mls SE 1010, Sud-Est Four-engined high-altitude photography aircraft. The prototype was lost when it entered a flat spin. Type: SE 1010 Function: photo-recce Year: 1948 Crew: Engines: 4 * Speed: Ceiling: 10000m Range: 6000km Armament: SE 3000, Sud-Est Improved version of the German Focke-Achelis Fa 223 Drache twin-rotor transport helicopter. Remained experimental. SE 3101, Sud-Est Experimental helicopter. 110hp Mathis engine. SE 3110, SUd-Est Experimental helicopter. 200hp Salmson engine. SE 5000 Baroudeur, Sud-Est (5003) See Baroudeur. SFAN 11 The SFAN 11 was a two-seat high-wing observation and liaison aicraft, first flown in 1940. Test flying was interrupted and halted by the German occupation. One built. Type: SFAN 11 L2 Function: observation / liaison Year: 1940 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 220hp Renault 6Q Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: SG.1, Spad This was a conceptual development of the SA.1 series. There was still a nacelle in front of the propellor, but there was no gunner; the nacelle contained fixed, remotely-controlled guns. One built. Type: SG.1 Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone Speed: 161km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: SH.1, Spad Renamed S.VII. Simoun, Caudron-Renault C.630 (631, 633, 634, 635) A small-low wing sports aircraft with fixed landing gear. The Simoun made itself well known by long-distance flights. 129 were built for the military and 70 for civil customers. Type: C.635M Simoun Function: utility / liaison / trainer Year: 1934 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 180hp Renault Bengali 6Q-09 Wing Span: 10.40m Length: 9.10m Height: 2.30m Wing Area: 16m2 Empty Weight: 755kg Max.Weight: 1380kg Speed: 300km/h Ceiling: 6000m Range: 1500km Load: 150kg, 3 seats Skymaster, Reims-Cessna FTB-337 Reims license-builds Cessna aircraft; it also developed a military version of the Cessna 337, in US military service known as the O-2. S.M.1, Salmson-Moineau Reconaissance biplane. The engine was buried in the fuselage, and long shafts were used to drive two propellors between the wings. Ten built. Type: S.M.1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1917 Crew: Engines: 1 * 160hp Salmson Speed: 130km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: SO 6020 Espadon, Sud-Ouest (6025) See Espadon. SO 4000, Sud-Ouest Bomber program, a clean aircraft with two engines inside its fuselage and a wing of moderate sweep. One built, and flown once. SO 4050 Vautour, Sud-Ouest See Vautour. SO 8000 Narval, Sud-Ouest See Narval. SO 9000 Trident, Sud-Ouest (9050) See Trident. SO M.1, Sud-Ouest Glider, aerodynamic prototype for the SO 4000. SO M.2, Sud Ouest Aerodynamic prototype for the SO 4000. The first French aircraft to exceed 1000km/h. Type: SO M.2 Function: experimental Year: 1949 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1587kg R.R. Derwent 5 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: SPCA 30 Design for a 'multiplace de combat' for bombing, reconaissance and escort tasks. The Amiot 140 design was selected. S.R.A.P. 2 See Salmson-Bechereau 6. Super Etendard, Dassault Development of the Etendard IVM. The Aeronavale bought 71; fourteen were sold to Argentina and five to Iraq. Type: Super Etendard IVM Function: attack Year: 1978 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 500kg SNECMA Atar 8K-50 Wing Span: 9.60m Length: 14.31m Height: 3.86m Wing Area: 28.40m2 Empty Weight: 6460kg Max.Weight: 11500kg Speed: 1205km/h Ceiling: 13700m Range: Armament: 2*g30mm Super Frelon, Aerospatila SA 321 Medium-weight transport, ASW and SAR helicopter. 99 built. Type: SA 321G Super Frelon Function: ASW Year: Crew: Engines: 3 * 1270kW Turbomeca Turmo IIIC6 Speed: 248km/h Ceiling: 3100m Range: 4h Armament: Super Magister, Aerospatiale CM 1070 Development of the Fouga Magister. 1962. Super Mystere, Dassault The Super Mystere began life as a development of the Mystere IV but became an entirely different aircraft, easily recognizable by the oval nose intake. It was the first series-built West-European fighter that was supersonic in horizontal flight. About 180 built, of which 24 for Israel. Type: Super Mystere B2 Function: fighter Year: 1956 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 4460kg SNECMA atar 101G Wing Span: 10.52m Length: 14.13m Height: 4.55m Wing Area: 35m2 Empty Weight: 6932kg Max.Weight: 10000kg Speed: 1200km/h Ceiling: 17000m Range: 870km Armament: 2*g30mm 908kg Super Puma, Aerospatiale AS 332 Development of the Puma medium-size transport helicopter. Type: AS 332C Super Puma Function: transport Year: 1980 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1327kW Turbomeca Makila 1A Speed: 280km/h Ceiling: Range: 1720km Load: 2834kg, 21 seats SV 4, Stampe-Vertongen Biplane trainer of Belgian design, obviously inspired by the De Havilland Moth. The SV 4 enjoyed such reputation as trainer and aerobatic aircraft, that production was resumed in the late 40's, when a French company built 700 for the Armee de l'Air and flying clubs. Type: SV 4B Function: trainer Year: 1933 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 125hp De Havilland Gipsy Major I Speed: 205km/h Ceiling: 5200m Range: 420km --T--------------------------------------------------------------------------- T, Morane-Saulnier Twin-engined reconaissance aircraft. About 100 built. Type: T Function: reconaissance Year: 1916 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 80hp Le Rhone Speed: 137km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Taon, Breguet 1001 (1002, 1003) The Taon was designed for the NATO competition for a light fighter-bomber that was eventually won by the Fiat G.91. A swept-wing jet aircraft with clean lines, and an unusual intake design with large fairings under the intakes, to avoid FOD. Two built. Type: 1001 Taon Function: fighter-bomber Year: 1957 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2200kg Bristol Orpheus BrOr.3 Wing Span: 6.80m Length: 11.68m Height: 3.70m Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: 5000kg Speed: 1194km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4*mg12.7mm Taon, Breguet 1100 Twin-engined jet fighter, developed in parallel with the Taon 1001, for the French air force. One built. Type: Taon 1100 Function: fighter Year: 1957 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: TBM 700, Socata Six-seven seat light transport. Six ordered to replace the MS.760 Paris. Tiger, Eurocopter French-Britsih attack helicopter. Trident, Sud-Ouest SO 9000 (9050) The Trident had a small straight wing, with jet engines fitted to the wingtips, and a rocket engine in the tail. It was intended as an interceptor with one very big AAM under the fuselage. The Trident had exceptional performance, but did not enter production. Eight built. Type: SO 9050 Trident II Function: fighter Year: 1957 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 1100kg Turbomeca Gabizo 1 * 3000kg SEPR 631 Speed: M1.95 Ceiling: Range: Armament: Triton, Sud-Ouest SO 6000 Small jet trainer. The Triton had site-by-side seating in the front fuselage and straight wings. The jet intakes were ducts fitted above the wing leading edge. Development began in 1943, while Fra,ce was still occupied! Five built Type: Triton Function: trainer Year: 1948 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 2200kg R.R. Nene 101 Speed: Ceiling: Range: TT, Deperdussin Military version of the famous monocoque racing aircraft. It was soon replaced, because no spare parts were available after the bankrucpy of Deperdussin. Type: TT Function: reconaissance Year: 1914 Crew: Engines: 1 * 80hp Gnome Speed: 114km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Tucano, Embraer EMB-312 Brazilian turboprop trainer. 50 were bought to replace the Magister. --U--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --V--------------------------------------------------------------------------- V, Morane-Saulnier Development of the N. It was developed in parallel with the type I; the V was larger. It had been ordered by the RFC and Russia, but the aircraft was very unpopular and few were built. Type: V Function: fighter Year: 1916 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 110hp Le Rhone 9J Speed: 165km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Vanneau, Morane-Saulnier MS.472 (474) Low-wing piston-engined trainer with fixed landing gear? Vautour, Sud-Ouest SO 4050 Twin-engined jet aircraft. The Vautour had a big but well-stremlined fuselage, swept wings and two jet engines under the wings. It was built both as all-wheater fighter and bomber. Some Vautours were delivered to Israel, that used them in the Six-day war. 140 built. Type: Vautour IIB Function: bomber Year: 1954 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 3500kg SNECMA Atar 101E Speed: 1102km/h Ceiling: 15000m Range: 2575km Armament: 2400kg VB-10, Arsenal See VG-30. VG-30, Arsenal (30, 32, 34, 36, 39) Light fighter of wooden construction. The VG-33 had good performance. Over 150 had been built in June 1940, but only a dozen were airworthy; the French industry again failed to deliver the equipment. Type: VG-33 Function: fighter Year: 1940 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 860hp Hispano-Suiza 12Y31 Speed: 590km/h Ceiling: 11000m Range: 1200km Armament: 1*g20mm 4*mg7.5mm VG-90, Arsenal Shipboard jet fighter design. Villiers 10 Two-seat floatplane fighter. A sesquiplane with a clean monocoque fuselage. 1926. Voisin 1 Voisin built a long series (1 to 10) of pusher biplanes with four-wheel landing gear and streamlined nacelles. They were in use throughout WWI, and over 3500 were built. The Voisin 1 was the first aircraft to shoot down another, a German Aviatik biplane on 5 oktober 1914, but they were used mostly as bombers. The machine gun of Voisin 1 was replaced by 37mm or 47mm cannon in later versions. Voisin 3 Development of the Voisin 1. Type: Voisin 3 Function: bomber Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 120hp Canton-Unne Speed: 113km/h Ceiling: 3350m Range: 200km Armament: 1*mg 55kg Voisin 5 Development of the Voisin 1 series. Voisin 8 Development of the Voisin 1 series. The engine was unreliable, and it was replaced, creating the Voisin 10. Type: Voisin Function: bomber Year: 1916 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 220hp Peugot 8 Speed: 132km/h Ceiling: 4300m Range: Armament: 1-2*mg 180kg Voisin 10 Last of the Voisin pusher biplanes. Development of the Voisin 8 with a 300hp Renault engine. Vought 156F Version of the U.S. SB2U dive-bomber for the French Air Force. Vultur, Breguet Br 462 Five-seat monoplane bomber. Type: Br 462 Function: bomber Year: Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 940hp Gnome6rhone Speed: 402km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Vultur, Breguet Br 960 Prototype of the Alize. The Vultur was an attack aircraft with mixed propulsion; the jet engine in the tail was removed in the development to Alize. Type: Br 960 Vultur Function: attack Year: 1951 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1200hp Armstrong Siddeley Mamba 1 * 2270kg R.R.-Hispano Nene Speed: 900km/h Ceiling: Range: 9h Armament: --W--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wibault 72 (74) Parasol-wing fighter, that entered service as high-altitude interceptor with an excellent rate of climb. Retired in 1932. The 74 was a shipboard version. Type: 72 Function: fighter Year: 1926 Crew: 12 Engines: 1 * 420hp Gnome-Rhone Jupiter 9 Ac Speed: 222km/h Ceiling: 27900ft Range: Armament: Wright A Wright biplane was taken into service by the French Army on June 10, 1910. --X--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --Y--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yak-1, Yakovlev (Yak-3) This Soviet fighter was used by the Normandie-Niemen regiment. --Z--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zephyr, Fouga C.M.175 This was a shipboard version of the Magister trainer. Type: C.M.175 Zephyr Function: trainer Year: 1956 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 400kg Turbomeca Marbore IIB Speed: 649km/h Ceiling: 11000m Range: 770km Armament: 2*mg 100kg ------------------------------------------------------------------------------