Latécoère 611
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| Latécoère 611 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Flying Boat |
| Manufacturer | Latécoère |
| Maiden flight | 1939 |
| Introduced | 1940 |
| Retired | 1947 |
| Primary user | French Navy |
| Number built | 1 |
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.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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]
[edit] 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.
[edit] Operators
[edit] 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-Rhone 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
- Two 0.5 in (12.7 mm) Machine guns in dorsal turret,
- One 0.5 in (12.7 mm) Browning Machine gun in tail and,
- Four 7.5 mm Darne machine guns in beam positions.
- up to 802 kg (1,764 lb) bombs
[edit] See also
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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