SPCA 40T

The SPCA 40T, also designated the SPCA VII,^[1] was a mailplane built in France in the late 1920s. It was a high-wing monoplane of conventional layout with a thick-sectioned, cantilever wing.^[1][3] The flight deck and cargo bay were fully enclosed, and the latter could be adapted to seat five passengers.^[3][4] The fixed undercarriage consisted of divided main units with spatted wheels, plus a tailskid. Construction was of metal throughout.^[1][2]

The two 40Ts were followed by a single example designated 41T with more powerful Salmson 9Nc engines that first flew on 12 December 1931.^[1] Services Aeriens de Madagascar operated the 41T between Tananarive and Broken Hill (where the route connected with Imperial Airways).^[2][4]

Eventually, the 40Ts were fitted with this same engine, at which time they were redesignated SPCA 218.^[1]

Variants

• 40T — initial production version with Salmson 9Ac engines (2 built)
• 41T — version with Salmson 9Nc engines (1 built)
• 218 — original 40Ts refitted with Salmson 9Nc engines (2 converted)

Operators

• Services Aeriens de Madagascar

Specifications (40T)

Data from Parmentier 1998

General characteristics

• Crew: Two pilots
• Length: 13.18 m (43 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 20.00 m (65 ft 7 in)
• Height: 3.25 m (10 ft 8 in)
• Wing area: 55.0 m² (590 ft²)
• Empty weight: 2,161 kg (4,754 lb)
• Gross weight: 3,036 kg (6,679 lb)
• Powerplant: 3 × Salmson 9Ac, 90 kW (120 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 180 km/h (110 mph)
• Range: 600 km (380 miles)
• Service ceiling: 5,950 m (19,500 ft)

Notes

References

• "French Service to Madagascar". Flight: 456. 10 May 1934. Retrieved 2011-03-03. 
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing. 
• Parmentier, Bruno (1998). "S.P.C.A. 40T". Aviafrance. Retrieved 2011-03-02. 
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. 

External links

• Madagascar - Air services; historical pictures