List of aircraft of the French Air Force during World War II

Last updated

Aircraft of the French Air Force and Naval Aviation during the Phoney War and the Battle of France, and aircraft of the Free French Air Force (FAFL).

Contents

The list is not complete and includes obsolete aircraft used for training as well as prototype and pre-production aircraft.

List is in alphabetical order by manufacturer or designer.

Aircraft of the Armée de l'Air, 1939–1940 and Armée de l'Air de l'Armistice , 1940–1942

The Amiot 143 was used as a medium bomber in the Battle of France Amiot 143 photo L'Aerophile October 1934.jpg
The Amiot 143 was used as a medium bomber in the Battle of France

Amiot

ANF Les Mureaux

Arsenal

Besson

Blériot-SPAD

Bloch

Breguet

Breguet 690 ground attack aircraft series, introduced into the Armee de l'Air (French Air force) in 1939. Only available in small numbers during the Battle of France. Breguet 690 L'Aerophile July 1939.jpg
Breguet 690 ground attack aircraft series, introduced into the Armée de l'Air (French Air force) in 1939. Only available in small numbers during the Battle of France.

CAMS

Caproni (Italian)

Caudron 710 series aircraft or Caudron Cyclone. The C714 variant was used by Polish pilots during the Battle of France Caudron C-710 right front photo L'Aerophile June 1938.jpg
Caudron 710 series aircraft or Caudron Cyclone. The C714 variant was used by Polish pilots during the Battle of France

Caudron

Curtiss (American)

de Havilland (British)

Dewoitine D.520 fighter used during the Battle of France. Used afterwards by the Vichy French Air Force Dewoitine D.520 (4465381305).jpg
Dewoitine D.520 fighter used during the Battle of France. Used afterwards by the Vichy French Air Force

Dewoitine

Douglas

The Farman F.222 was the main production variant of the Farman F.220 aircraft series, which served as bombers during the Battle of France. It was the largest French bomber of the interwar period, and was thus classified as a heavy bomber. French aircraft F.222 in Africa during WW II.jpg
The Farman F.222 was the main production variant of the Farman F.220 aircraft series, which served as bombers during the Battle of France. It was the largest French bomber of the interwar period, and was thus classified as a heavy bomber.

Farman/SNCAC

Gourdou-Leseurre

Hanriot

Koolhoven (Netherlands)

Latécoère

Levasseur PL.10 carrier-borne reconnaissance aircraft. Later developed into the improved Levasseur PL.10 1 variant and Levasseur PL.107 carrier torpedo bomber variant Levasseur PL.10 en vol.jpg
Levasseur PL.10 carrier-borne reconnaissance aircraft. Later developed into the improved Levasseur PL.10 1 variant and Levasseur PL.107 carrier torpedo bomber variant

Levasseur

Liore-et-Olivier LeO 451 medium bomber used in battle of France Liore et Olivier, LeO 451.jpg
Lioré-et-Olivier LeO 451 medium bomber used in battle of France

Lioré et Olivier

Loire

Loire-Nieuport

Martin 167 bought from the US by France to fill a shortage of modern bombers. Used in the Battle of France Martin Maryland.jpg
Martin 167 bought from the US by France to fill a shortage of modern bombers. Used in the Battle of France

SFCA Maillet

Martin (American)

Mauboussin

Morane-Saulnier

Nardi (Italian)

Nieuport-Delage

North American (American)

Potez 633, light bomber variant of the multi-role Potez 63 series. This series was the most produced French military aircraft series before World War II, with more than 1,300 built. Different variants of the Potez 63 series fulfilled different roles. For example, the Potez 630 and 631 were used as heavy fighters(which was the original purpose of the series) and the Potez 633 as a light bomber, whereas the Potez 637 and 63.11 were designed for reconnaissance. Potez 633 B2.jpg
Potez 633, light bomber variant of the multi-role Potez 63 series. This series was the most produced French military aircraft series before World War II, with more than 1,300 built. Different variants of the Potez 63 series fulfilled different roles. For example, the Potez 630 and 631 were used as heavy fighters(which was the original purpose of the series) and the Potez 633 as a light bomber, whereas the Potez 637 and 63.11 were designed for reconnaissance.

Potez

Romano/SNCASE

Roussel

Salmson

SNCAO

SNCASE

Vought (American)

Wibault-Penhoët

Aircraft of the Free French Air Forces, 1940-1945

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aermacchi</span> Former Italian aircraft manufacturer

Aermacchi was an Italian aircraft manufacturer. Formerly known as Aeronautica Macchi, the company was founded in 1912 by Giulio Macchi at Varese in north-western Lombardy as Nieuport-Macchi, to build Nieuport monoplanes under licence for the Italian military. With a factory located on the shores of Lake Varese, the firm originally manufactured a series of Nieuport designs, as well as seaplanes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nakajima Aircraft Company</span> Japanese aircraft manufacturer and aviation engine manufacturer throughout World War II

The Nakajima Aircraft Company was a prominent Japanese aircraft manufacturer and aviation engine manufacturer throughout World War II. It continues as the car and aircraft manufacturer Subaru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aichi Kokuki</span> 1898–1966 aircraft, engine and automobile manufacturer in Japan

Aichi Kokuki KK was a Japanese aerospace manufacturer which produced several designs for the Imperial Japanese Navy. After the war, the company was reorganized as Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd (愛知機械工業) where they made small kei cars until 1966 when they were integrated into Nissan and developed the Nissan Sunny and Nissan Vanette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caproni</span> Former Italian aircraft manufacturer

Caproni, also known as Società de Agostini e Caproni and Società Caproni e Comitti, was an Italian aircraft manufacturer. Its main base of operations was at Taliedo, near Linate Airport, on the outskirts of Milan.

The Bréguet 690 and its derivatives were a series of light twin-engine ground-attack aircraft that were used by the French Air Force in World War II. The aircraft was intended to be easy to maintain, forgiving to fly, and capable of 480 km/h (300 mph) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft). The type's sturdy construction was frequently demonstrated and the armament was effective. French rearmament began two years later than that in Britain and none of these aircraft were available in sufficient numbers to make a difference in 1940.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farman Aviation Works</span> French manufacturer of aircraft and cars

Farman Aviation Works was a French aircraft company founded and run by the brothers Richard, Henri, and Maurice Farman. They designed and constructed aircraft and engines from 1908 until 1936; during the French nationalization and rationalization of its aeronautical industry, Farman's assets were assigned to the Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Centre (SNCAC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free French Air Forces</span> Military unit

The Free French Air Forces were the air arm of the Free French Forces in the Second World War, created by Charles de Gaulle in 1940. The designation ceased to exist in 1943 when the Free French Forces merged with General Giraud's forces. The name was still in common use however, until the liberation of France in 1944, when they became the French Air Army. Martial Henri Valin commanded them from 1941 to 1944, then stayed on to command the Air Army.

The Vichy French Air Force, usually referred to as the Air Force of Vichy or Armistice Air Force for clarity, was the aerial branch of the Armistice Army of Vichy France established in the aftermath of the Fall of France in June 1940. The Vichy French Air Force existed between December 1940 and December 1942 and largely served to defend Vichy French territories abroad.

Chantiers Aéro-Maritimes de la Seine (CAMS) was a French manufacturer of flying boats, founded in Saint-Ouen in November 1920 by Lawrence Santoni.

References

Citations

  1. Ehrengardt 2018 , pp. 9, 14
  2. Ehrengardt 2018 , pp. 15, 18–19
  3. Ehrengardt 2018 , pp. 22
  4. Ehrengardt 2018 , pp. 23–24
  5. Ehrengardt 2018 , pp. 32–33
  6. Ehrengardt 2018 , pp. 43––46
  7. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 41
  8. Ehrengardt 2018 , pp. 50–51
  9. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 12
  10. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 116
  11. Ehrengardt 2018 , p. 59
  12. Ehrengardt 2018 , p. 66
  13. Ehrengardt 2018 , p. 85
  14. Ehrengardt 2018 , p. 92
  15. Ehrengardt 2018a , pp. 35, 55
  16. Ehrengardt 2018 , pp. 106–107
  17. Ehrengardt 2018 , p. 117
  18. Ehrengardt 2018 , p. 123
  19. 1 2 Ehrengardt 2018 , p. 143
  20. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 127
  21. Ehrengardt 2018 , p. 144
  22. Ehrengardt 2018 , p. 149
  23. Ehrengardt 2018 , pp. 149–150
  24. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 18
  25. Ehrengardt 2018a , pp. 51–52
  26. Ehrengardt 2018 , pp. 164–165
  27. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 25
  28. Ehrengardt 2018 , p. 53
  29. Ehrengardt 2018 , p. 167
  30. 1 2 Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 180
  31. 1 2 Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 176
  32. 1 2 Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 165
  33. 1 2 Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 167
  34. 1 2 Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 164
  35. 1 2 Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 213
  36. 1 2 Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 187
  37. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 183
  38. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 162
  39. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 201
  40. 1 2 Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 202
  41. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 166
  42. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 207
  43. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 175
  44. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 189
  45. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 170
  46. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 172
  47. Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 185
  48. 1 2 Ehrengardt 2018a , p. 209

Bibliography