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Latecoere 611
The Latécoère 611 was a French four-engined maritime reconnaissance flying boat of the Second World War. Although only a single prototype was completed, this served throughout the war, being used by both the Vichy French and Free French navies.
Contents
Development and design
In May 1935, the French Navy issued a specification for a long-range flying boat to replace the obsolete Breguet 521. To meet this requirement, Latécoère designed the Latécoère 611. This was a cantilever monoplane powered by four Gnome-Rhone 14N radial engines and fitted with a twin tail. It was also fitted with stabilising floats that retracted into the outer engine nacelles. The prototype was assembled at Biscarrosse, and first flew on 8 March 1939.[1]
Although it was intended that the aircraft be armed with a 25 mm cannon in a dorsal turret, this was unavailable, and was replaced by one carrying two 7.5 mm Darne machine guns, with a further four machine guns firing through portholes and two in a retractable tail position. In December 1939 the French Navy placed an order for twelve of a modified version, the Latécoère 612, which was to be powered by four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial engines. These aircraft, however, were never delivered.
Operational history
The prototype Latécoère 611 was delivered to the French Navy on 12 April 1940[1] and named Achenar, being flown to North Africa in June 1940 and subsequently disarmed under the terms of the Armistice. After being damaged in a collision with another flying boat, it eventually entered full service with the Vichy French Navy on 15 October 1941, operating with Escadrille 4E at Port Lyautey and Dakar.[1]
In November 1942, following the Allied Invasion of North Africa, Escadrille 4E switched sides and joined the Free French, carrying out anti-submarine patrols over the South Atlantic, later (October 1943) being enlarged to form Flotille 7F, which continued to fly the Latécoère 611 alongside Short Sunderlands. The Latécoère was re-armed in 1944, with the dorsal turret being fitted with two 50 cal. Browning machine guns and a similar gun being fitted in the tail.[1]
The sole Latécoère 611 was finally retired from service as a transport in 1947.[2]
Variants
- Latécoère 611
- Prototype - powered by four Gnome-Rhone 14N engines. One built.
- Latécoère 611
- Proposed production version - powered by four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engines. Twelve ordered but unbuilt.
Operators
Specifications (Latécoère 611)
Data from Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Five, Flying Boats [1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 7
- Length: 27.06 m (88 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 40.56 m (133 ft 0½ in)
- Height: 7.65 m (25 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 195.1 m² (2,099 ft²)
- Empty weight: 16,034 kg (35,274 lb)
- Loaded weight: 26,555 kg (58,422 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 31,065 kg (68,343 lb)
- Powerplant: 4× Gnome-Rhône 14N30/31 14 cylinder radial engine, 753 kW (1,010 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 349 km/h (145 knots, 217 mph)
- Cruise speed: 180 km/h (97 knots, 112 mph)
- Range: 4,250 km (2,295 nm, 2,640 mi)
- Service ceiling: m (ft)
- Wing loading: kg/m² (lb/ft²)
- Power/mass: W/kg (hp/lb)
- Endurance: 32 hours
- Climb to 2,000 m (6,560 ft): 10 min
Armament
See also
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
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| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Green, William (1968). Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Five, Flying Boats. London: Macdonald, p.27-29. ISBN 356 01449 5.
- ↑ Histoire de la BAN Saint-Mandrier (French). Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
External links
Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
| This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Latecoere 611". |
