Levasseur PL.4

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PL.4
Levasseur PL-4.jpg
Deck landing of a Levasseur PL.4
RoleCarrier-based reconnaissance aircraft
National originFrance
Manufacturer Levasseur
First flight1926
Primary user Aéronavale
Number built40
Developed into Levasseur PL.8

The Levasseur PL.4, aka Levasseur Marin, [1] was a carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft produced in France in the 1920s.

Contents

Design and development

The PL.4 was a conventional, single-bay biplane that carried a crew of three in tandem, open cockpits. Purchased by the Aéronavale to operate from the aircraft carrier Béarn, it incorporated several safety features in case of ditching at sea. Apart from small floats attached directly to the undersides of the lower wing, the main units of the fixed, tailskid undercarriage could be jettisoned in flight, and the underside of the fuselage was given a boat-like shape and made watertight. Additionally, the crew can survive a crash by ejecting the landing gear. [2]

Variants

PL.4 A3 R3b
to meet the 1924 A.3/R.3b (three seat observation and gunnery spotter aircraft) specification from the Service technique de l'aéronautique (STAé); 1 built. [3]
PL.4
3-seat shipboard reconnaissance aircraft for the Aéronautique Navale; 40 built. [4]

Operators

Flag of France.svg  France

Specifications (PL.4)

Levasseur PL.4 photo from L'Aeronautique December,1926 Levasseur PL.4 L'Aeronautique December,1926.jpg
Levasseur PL.4 photo from L'Aéronautique December,1926

Data fromJane's all the World's Aircraft 1928 [1] and Aviafrance:Levasseur PL.4 [4]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Grey, C.G., ed. (1928). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. pp. 18d–19d.
  2. "Levasseur PL.4". Military Equipment Guide With Photos. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  3. Parmentier, Bruno (6 December 2001). "Levasseur PL.4 A3 R3b". Aviafrance (in French). Paris. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  4. 1 2 Parmentier, Bruno (6 December 2001). "Levasseur PL 4". Aviafrance (in French). Paris. Retrieved 18 February 2018.

Further reading