Caudron C.61

The Caudron C.61 was a French civil transport biplane aircraft built by the French aeroplane manufacturer Caudron. It was constructed of wood and covered by fabric.

Development

The prototype C.61 (F-ESAE) had a freight hold and cabin for 6 passengers. The conventional landing gear also included a wheel beneath the nose to prevent nose-overs on landing. For the production C.61s the cabin size was increased to accommodate eight passengers.

Operational history

In 1923, six C.61s were bought by Compagnie Franco-Roumaine de Navigation Aérienne to run between Bucharest and Belgrade.

Variants

• C.61bis - In 1924 many C.61s were modified to take 194 kW (260 hp) Salmson CM.9 radial engines on the outboards, increasing the maximum loaded weight to 4834 kg (10657 lb).
• C.81 -
• C.183 -

Operators

• Compagnie Franco-Roumaine de Navigation Aérienne
• Compagnie Internationale de Navigation Aérienne

Specifications (variant)

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 14 m (45 ft 11.25 in)
• Wingspan: 24.14 m (79 ft 2.5 in)
• Wing area: 104 m² (1119.48 ft²)
• Empty weight: 2200 kg (4850 lb)
• Gross weight: 3480 kg (7672 lb)
• Powerplant: 3 × Hispano-Suiza 8Ac inline piston, 134 kW (180 hp) each each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 160 km/h (99 mph)
• Range: 640 km (398 miles)
• Service ceiling: 4000 m (13125 ft)

Accidents

• after 1923 (date unknown) - C.61 lost when it came down at sea
• July 3, 1926 - C.61 operated by Compagnie Internationale de Navigation Aérienne crashes in Czechoslovakia^[1]

References

• Donald, David, ed. (1997). The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Prospero Books. p. 236. ISBN 1-85605-375-X. 

1. ↑ "Accidents by Airline". Retrieved 2007-09-14. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Caudron aircraft.

See also