Levasseur PL.15

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PL.15
Levasseur PL.15.jpg
RoleSeaplane torpedo bomber
National originFrance
Manufacturer Levasseur
First flightOctober 1932
Introduction1933
Retired20 August 1940
Primary user Aéronavale
Number built17
Developed from Levasseur PL.14

The Levasseur PL.15 was a torpedo bomber seaplane developed in France in the early 1930s. [1] It was a follow-on design to Levasseur's PL.14 that had, in turn, been developed from the carrier-based PL.7. [2] While the PL.14 retained the PL.7's boat-like fuselage (developed as a safety feature for carrier-based aircraft ditching), the PL.15 was a purpose-built seaplane with an all-new, slender fuselage. [1] [3]

Contents

The Aéronavale ordered 16 PL.15s for use aboard the seaplane tender Commandant Teste , and purchased and deployed the prototype as well. These were in service from 1933 to 1938, when they were put into storage. [1] [3] The PL.15s were reactivated with the outbreak of war in September 1939, and were used for anti-submarine patrol along France's Atlantic coast. [1] [3]

Variants

Units using this aircraft

Flag of France.svg  France

Specifications

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

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References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Taylor 1989, p. 575.
  2. Taylor and Alexander 1969, pp. 104-105.
  3. 1 2 3 World Aircraft Information Files, File 900 Sheet 06

Bibliography

  • Taylor, John W. R. and Jean Alexander. Combat Aircraft of the World. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969. ISBN   0-71810-564-8.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 1989. ISBN   0-517-69186-8.
  • World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing.