Breguet Deux-Ponts
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| Deux-Ponts / Provence / Sahara | |
|---|---|
| Type | Airliner and freighter |
| Manufacturer | Breguet |
| Maiden flight | 1949 |
| Introduced | 1953 |
| Primary users | Air France French Air Force |
| Number built | 19 |
The Breguet 761/763/765 were a family of 1940s and 1950s French double-deck transport aircraft produced by Breguet. The aircraft were normally called the Deux-Ponts (Double-Decker) but it was not an official name.
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[edit] Design and development
Breguet began design work on the Breguet 761 two-deck airliner even before the end of the Second World War, in 1944. The prototype first flew on 15 February 1949.
The 761 featured a cantilever wing set at mid-height on the bulky fuselage. The retractable tricycle landing gear featured dual-wheel main units. The empennage, high on the rear fuselage had twin fins and rudders. The prototype was powered by four 1,850 hp (1380 kW) SNECMA built Gnome-Rhône 14R radial engines.
The prototype was followed by three Br.761S pre-production aircraft powered by 2,020 hp (1506 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-B31 radial engines. They also included a third central fin.
Air France had shown interest in the Br.761 and in 1951 ordered 12 aircraft with the designation Br.763 Provence. The 763 had more powerful engines, an increased wingspan, strengthened wings and three-crew flight deck. The 763 first flew on 20 July 1951 and entered service with Air France in August 1952. The Air France aircraft had accommodation for 59 passengers on the top deck, and 48 on the lower deck, although the aircraft was capable of carrying 135 passengers in a high-density layout. During 1964 Air France transferred six Br.763s to the French Air Force. The air force also acquired the three pre-production Br.761S aircraft and four new Br.765 Sahara freighter aircraft with removable cargo doors.
Projects to build versions powered with British engines (for possible United Kingdom buyers) did not come to fruition. The projects would have been the 766 (with the Bristol Hercules radial engine, and the 767 with British turboprop engines.
[edit] Operational history
In 1955 the French Air Force acquired the three pre-production Br.761S aircraft, these and the Sahara aircraft acquired from Air France provided the French Air Force with a valuable transport fleet for moving personnel and materials to the Pacific nuclear testing areas. The Sahara fleet was retired in 1972.
Air France converted the six remaining Br.763s into freighters with the name Universal which remained in service until 1972.
[edit] Variants
- Breguet 761
- Prototype with four 1,590 hp Gnome-Rhóne 14R radial engines, one built.
- Breguet 761S
- Pre-production aircraft with four 2,100 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-B31 engines, three built.
- Breguet 763 Provence
- Production aircraft for Air France, 12 built.
- Breguet 764
- Proposed anti-submarine naval version, prototype 761 was to be converted but project was abandoned.
- Breguet 765 Sahara
- Freighter version for the French Air Force, 4 built.
[edit] Operators
- Air Algerie (loaned for trials 1952)
- Silver City (leased 1953)
[edit] Specifications (Br.763)
General characteristics
- Length: 94 ft 11½ in (28.94 m)
- Wingspan: 141 ft 0¼ in (42.99 m)
- Height: 31 ft 4 in (9.55 m)
- Wing area: 1,995.7 ft² (185.40 m²)
- Empty weight: 71,727 lb (32535 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 113,759 lb (51600 kg)
- Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CA18 radial piston, 2,400 hp (1790 kw) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 242 mph (390 km/h)
- Range: 1,345 miles (2165 km)
- Service ceiling 23,950 ft (7300 m)
[edit] References
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
- (1980) French Post-War Transport Aircraft. Tonbridge, England: Air-Britain. ISBN 0 85130 078 2.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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