Caudron C.280

The Caudron C.280 Phalène ("Moth") was a civil utility aircraft built in France during the 1930s. It was a high-wing braced monoplane of conventional configuration with fixed tailskid undercarriage. The pilot and 2-3 passengers were accommodated within an enclosed cabin. The structure was wooden throughout, with the forward fuselage skinned with plywood, and the rest of the aircraft fabric-covered.

The type proved popular on the civil market, with a number of long-distance flights staged to promote it. The French military also purchased a number of examples under the C.400 and C.410 designations.

Variants

• C.280 - Prototypes equipped with the de Havilland Gipsy II piston engine. (5 built)
  • C.280/2 - Four-seat light touring monoplane, powered by a 108 kW (145 hp) Renault 4Pdi piston engine. 21 built.
  • C.280/6 - This version had rounded wingtips. Only one was built.
  • C.280/9 - The fuselage was lengthened by 20 cm (8 in). (three built)
• C.282 Super Phalene - Powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major piston engine. (11 built).
  • C.280/4 - fitted with dual controls, automatic slots and flaps. (9 built)
  • C.282/8 - Definitive production version, equipped with a 108 kW (145 hp) Renault 4Pdi piston engine. Similar to the C.282/2. (89 built, plus three conversions)
  • C.282/10 - Equipped with the Merville series 601 propeller.
• C.286 - Powered by a de Havilland Gipsy III piston engine. (11 built)
  • C.286/2 Fitted rounded wingtips. (10 built)
  • C.286/2.S4 and C.286/3.S4' - Special luxury versions, powered by the de Havilland Gipsy Major I piston engine. (10 built)
  • C.282/4 Super-Phalene - (5 built)
  • C.286/5 Super-Phalène - This version was equipped with a de Havilland Gipsy III piston engine. (One built)
  • C.286/6 Super-Phalène - This version was equipped with a de Havilland Gipsy Major piston engine, it was also fitted with a Merville 501 propeller. (5 built)
  • C.286/7 Super-Phalene - equipped with Retier series 1175 variable-pitch propeller. (8 built)
  • C.286/8 Super-Phalène - The fuselage was lengthened slightly, it was powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major piston engine. (4 built)
  • C.286/9 Super-Phalene - The fuselage was slightly shorter. (One built)
• C.289/2 -Powered by a 112 kW (150 hp) Hispano-Suzia 5Q radial piston engine. (5 built)
• C.400 - Military version. 40 were built for the French Air Force.
  • C.401 - Several C.400s were modified for civilian use during the post-war years.
• C.410 - Military version, powered by a 104-kW (140-hp) Renault 4Pdi piston engine. (11 built)

Operators

 Belgian Congo

• Force Publique

 France

• French Air Force

 Spain

• Spanish Republican Air Force - Caudron C.282

 Spain

• Spanish Nationalist Air Force

Specifications (C.282/6)

General characteristics

• Crew: One pilot
• Capacity: 2-3 passengers
• Length: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 11.62 m (38 ft 1 in)
• Height: 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
• Wing area: 25.4 m² (273 ft²)
• Empty weight: 1,100 kg (2,425 lb)
• Gross weight: 550 kg (1,213 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Renault 4Pdi, 108 kW (150 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 185 km/h (115 mph)
• Range: 850 km (528 miles)
• Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,750 ft)

Related lists

• List of aircraft of World War II

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Caudron aircraft.

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 240. 
• aviafrance.com