Operators
France
| SE-400 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Coastal reconnaissance floatplane |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | SNCASE |
| First flight | 31 December 1939 |
| Status | Prototype |
| Number built | 1 |
The SNCASE SE-400 was a prototype French twin-engined coastal patrol floatplane of the Second World War. A single example was flown, but development was abandoned in May 1940 owing to the German invasion of France.
In 1937 the French Air Ministry issued specification A46 for a three-seat coastal reconnaissance seaplane to replace the obsolete CAMS 37 biplane flying boats of the French Navy. To meet this requirement, the Société Nationale des Constructions Aéronautiques du Sud-Est (SNCASE) designed a twin-engined monoplane floatplane, the SE-400, work beginning on construction of two prototypes in March 1938. [1] [2]
The SE.400 was of mixed construction, with a steel tube fuselage and wooden wings. It had a twin tail and was powered by two 655 hp (489 kW) Gnome-Rhône 14M radial engines. The aircraft's undercarriage consisted of two light alloy floats mounted beneath the engines. [1]
The first prototype, the SE.400-01 made its maiden flight from Marignane on 31 December 1939. [1] Flight testing showed that the SE-400 suffered from stability problems, and the aircraft had a new, larger, tail assembly fitted and its nose lengthened. These modifications resolved the aircraft's handling problems, [3] but by this time the competing Breguet Nautilus had been ordered into production. [4]
The war situation and the continuing delays in the program resulted in the development of the SE-400 being abandoned on 24 May 1940, with the second prototype, a landplane powered by two 500 hp (373 kW) Lorraine 9N Algol engines, left incomplete. [5]
France Data from War Planes of the Second World War [6]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
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