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Société Provençale de Constructions Aéronautiques Designations - 1925-1934
The Société Provençale de Constructions Aéronautiques seems to have used two, concurrent designation systems. The first was a simple Modèle number (using roman numerals). The second used arabic numerals. Neither system seems to have been strictly chronological (or, if they were, it was based on time of design rather than airframe completion).
In fairly typical French fashion, major SPCA design model numbers advanced in tens. Minor model variations changed only the second digit. SPCA routinely applied a 'T' suffix to transport designs. Note that SPCA 30 M4 is an AdlA designation ('M' for Multiplace, '4' for Quatriplace) not an SPCA-applied suffix.
Designation anomolies are: the Paulhan-Pillard T3 floatplane, the Météore 63, and the seemingly unnumbered Hermès (unless, like its cancelled military derivative, Hermès was also designated Modèle V/SPCA 50). Another mystery is the SPCA Type E-5 trimotor flying boat.
http://www.avia-it.com/act/cera_una_volta/pubblicazioni_di_ieri/CUV_pi_agg_luglio_09/14_L_Aéronautique_française_1929.pdf see Pg 106 for Type E-5
In layout, the Type E-5 appears identical to the SPCA 10 -- parasol monoplane trimotor flying boat with Warren truss bracing on Consolidated-style stabilizing floats. So why were two different arabic numeral designations applied?
Update: The E-5 is connected with the Météore 63 in a Popular Aviation article posted by Stargazer2006!
-- http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,4023.msg181468.html#msg181468 ]
Société Provençale de Constructions Aéronautiques Modèle Numbers
SPCA I ---- For Modèle I, see SPCA 10
SPCA II --- For Modèle II, see SPCA 20
SPCA III -- For Modèle III, see SPCA 30
SPCA IV --- For Modèle IV, see SPCA 60
SPCA V ---- For Modèle V, see SPCA 50
SPCA VI --- For Modèle VI, [?? perhaps SPCA 70 ??]
SPCA VII -- For Modèle VII, see SPCA 40 series
SPCA VIII - For Modèle VIII, see SPCA 80 series
SPCA IX --- For Modèle IX, see SPCA 90 series
Société Provençale de Constructions Aéronautiques Designation Anomolies/Naming Confusions
SPCA 218 and 218/2 - modified SPCA Modèle VII/SPCA 40T (qv)
SPCA Paulhan-Pillard I - aka 1928 SPCA 10/SPCA Modèle I
SPCA Hermès - aka SPCA 60T (qv) aka SPCA Type IV
SPCA Météore 63 - 1925 6 passenger trimotor biplane flying boat, 3 x built
- Météore 63: 3 x 180 hp Hispano-Suiza 8Ac V-8s, span (top wing) 21.20m
- Météore 63: fabric-covered wooden const., 3 x 180 hp Hispano-Suiza 8Ac V-8s
-- NB: 1927 to Air-Union Lignes d'Orient for use on their Beirut to Saigon route
-- There is no obvious SPCA numerical designation for the Météore 63s
-- 3v: http://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/flyboat/spca63/spca63-1.gif
SPCA Paulhan-Pillard T3 - 1928 twin-engine torpedo/night bomber floatplane, x 2
- SPCA Paulhan-Pillard T3: Twin-float low-wing cantilever monoplane seaplane
-- Paulhan-Pillard T3 was first all-metal construction floatplane built in France
- SPCA Paulhan-Pillard T3: 2 x 420 hp G-R 9 Jupiter radials, span 26.00 m
-- Thick wings, open side-by-side cockpit, open nose & dorsal gunner positions
- SPCA Paulhan-Pillard T3: 1st prototype, crashed La Ciotat harbour, 02 Aug 1928
- SPCA Paulhan-Pillard T3: 2nd prototype, 1930, 3-blade prop (inst. of 4-bladed)
-- One source also lists 650 hp Hispano-Suiza engines in place of Jupiters*
-- * This may represent confusion between T3 and SPCA 60T/Type IV Hermès
-- NB: Paulhan-Pillard T3 was designed by Marcel Pillard, built by Louis Paulhan
-- http://www.flickr.com/photos/runway27r/2910096405/ photo
-- http://www.navtechlife.com/Images l...oats/small_SPCA Paulhan-Pillard T3 103022.jpg
Société Provençale de Constructions Aéronautiques SPCA Numbers
SPCA 10 - 1928 trimotor parasol monoplane patrol flying boat, x 1
- SPCA 10: 5-seat maritime patrol parasol 'boat w/ outrigger floats*
- SPCA 10: 3 x 420 hp Gnome-Rhône 9Ac tractor radials, span 28.15 m
-- * Warren Truss bracing struts, aka SPCA Paulhan-Pillard I, Modèle II
-- NB: Some sources confused SPCA 10/Paulhan-Pillard I with the T3
-- 3v: http://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/flyboat/spca10/spca10-1.gif
SPCA 20 - 1928 Modèle II 2-engined low-wing monoplane seaplane, x 2
- SPCA 20: 4-seat, twin-float torpedo/nighter bomber, metal constr.
- SPCA 20: 2 x 480 hp Gnome-Rhône 9Ae radials, span 26.22 m
-- aka Paulhan-Pillard T3 (qv), T3 Bn.4 (night bomber), & Modèle II
SPCA 30 - 1931 twin-boomed, twin-engined multiplace de combat, x 2
- SPCA 30 : Open cockpit, open gun positions in nose & both booms
- SPCA 30 M4: (Multiplace de combat) 2 x inline engines, span 26.50 m
- SPCA 30 M4: 1st prototype, 2 x 650 hp Lorraine-Dietrich 18Kd W-18s
- SPCA 30 M4: 2nd prototype, 2 x 650 hp Hispano-Suiza 12N V-12s
-- aka SPCA III or Modèle III
SPCA 40 - 1929 metal trimotor high-wing monoplane mail plane
- SPCA 40: 2 of 3 engines podded under cantilever wings
- SPCA 40: Avion postal, fixed spatted main u/c, span 20.00 m
- 40T: 1929, 3 x 120 hp Salmson 9Ac 9-cyl. radials, 2 x built
- 41T: 1931, 3 x 135 hp Salmson 9Nc 9-cyl. radials, 1x built
-- SPCA 40T and 41T both aka SPCA Modèle VII
-- http://saharayro.free.fr/fwauthier1.htm SPCA 41T specs
- 218: 1932, 2 x 40T conv. to 41T standards, re-eng. w/ Salmson 9Ncs
-- 218: F-AKDY & F-AKDZ, used by CTA (Compagnie Transafricaine d'Aviation)
-- http://www.stampnotes.com/Today_in_Postal_History/073134.html photo
-- 218/2: 218 modified to increase range (from 425 km to 1,075 km)
- 42 : (Project) 1935, wind-tunnel tested, no other details
- 42T: (Project) 1935, wind-tunnel tested, no other details
SPCA 50 - (Project) 193? twin-engine scout-recce flying boat, abandoned 1933
- SPCA 50: For programme des hydavions eclaireurs et de grande reconnaissance
- SPCA 50: 2 x (??) hp (type?) engines, span 29.12 m, no other details
-- NB: SPCA 50 design led to civil SCPA 60T Hermès prototype (below)
SPCA 60 - 1932 twin-engined civilian transport seaplane transport, x 1
- SPCA 60T: 2 x 650 hp Hispano-Suiza 12Nbr V-12s,* span 29.12 m
-- * Twin HS 12Nbr V-12s were mounted in a tandem, push-pull pair
- SPCA 60T: aka Hermès, aka SPCA Type IV, proved structurally weak
SPCA 70 - [Project] trimotor 'pack plane' SPCA 30 deriv, 3 x 230 hp Salmson
- SPCA 70: Medevac config., 6 x litter cases or 12 x seated wounded/injured
-- http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,4023.0.html
SPCA 80 - 1932 police coloniale a/c, high-wing cantilever monoplane, 15m span
- SPCA 80: 2 crew + 4 pax, 1 x 300 hp Gnome-Rhône 7Kb, 1 built (F-AKFH)
- SPCA 81: 2nd version, 1 x Lorraine-Dietrich 9Na Algol radial, 1 built
- SPCA 82: 1934 conv. of SPCA 81 prototype to 1 x 350 hp Renault 9Ca radial
SPCA 90 - police coloniale a/c, high-wing cantilever monoplane, 22.35m span
- SPCA 90 : 1932, 3 x 350 hp 350 hp Gnome-Rhône 7Kd radials (uncowled)
-- NB: Despite some medevac use, no evidence of an 'SPCA 90S' designation
- SPCA 91T: 1934 civil transport, enlarged cabin (8 pax + baggage & toilet)
The Société Provençale de Constructions Aéronautiques seems to have used two, concurrent designation systems. The first was a simple Modèle number (using roman numerals). The second used arabic numerals. Neither system seems to have been strictly chronological (or, if they were, it was based on time of design rather than airframe completion).
In fairly typical French fashion, major SPCA design model numbers advanced in tens. Minor model variations changed only the second digit. SPCA routinely applied a 'T' suffix to transport designs. Note that SPCA 30 M4 is an AdlA designation ('M' for Multiplace, '4' for Quatriplace) not an SPCA-applied suffix.
Designation anomolies are: the Paulhan-Pillard T3 floatplane, the Météore 63, and the seemingly unnumbered Hermès (unless, like its cancelled military derivative, Hermès was also designated Modèle V/SPCA 50). Another mystery is the SPCA Type E-5 trimotor flying boat.
http://www.avia-it.com/act/cera_una_volta/pubblicazioni_di_ieri/CUV_pi_agg_luglio_09/14_L_Aéronautique_française_1929.pdf see Pg 106 for Type E-5
In layout, the Type E-5 appears identical to the SPCA 10 -- parasol monoplane trimotor flying boat with Warren truss bracing on Consolidated-style stabilizing floats. So why were two different arabic numeral designations applied?
Update: The E-5 is connected with the Météore 63 in a Popular Aviation article posted by Stargazer2006!
-- http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,4023.msg181468.html#msg181468 ]
Société Provençale de Constructions Aéronautiques Modèle Numbers
SPCA I ---- For Modèle I, see SPCA 10
SPCA II --- For Modèle II, see SPCA 20
SPCA III -- For Modèle III, see SPCA 30
SPCA IV --- For Modèle IV, see SPCA 60
SPCA V ---- For Modèle V, see SPCA 50
SPCA VI --- For Modèle VI, [?? perhaps SPCA 70 ??]
SPCA VII -- For Modèle VII, see SPCA 40 series
SPCA VIII - For Modèle VIII, see SPCA 80 series
SPCA IX --- For Modèle IX, see SPCA 90 series
Société Provençale de Constructions Aéronautiques Designation Anomolies/Naming Confusions
SPCA 218 and 218/2 - modified SPCA Modèle VII/SPCA 40T (qv)
SPCA Paulhan-Pillard I - aka 1928 SPCA 10/SPCA Modèle I
SPCA Hermès - aka SPCA 60T (qv) aka SPCA Type IV
SPCA Météore 63 - 1925 6 passenger trimotor biplane flying boat, 3 x built
- Météore 63: 3 x 180 hp Hispano-Suiza 8Ac V-8s, span (top wing) 21.20m
- Météore 63: fabric-covered wooden const., 3 x 180 hp Hispano-Suiza 8Ac V-8s
-- NB: 1927 to Air-Union Lignes d'Orient for use on their Beirut to Saigon route
-- There is no obvious SPCA numerical designation for the Météore 63s
-- 3v: http://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/flyboat/spca63/spca63-1.gif
SPCA Paulhan-Pillard T3 - 1928 twin-engine torpedo/night bomber floatplane, x 2
- SPCA Paulhan-Pillard T3: Twin-float low-wing cantilever monoplane seaplane
-- Paulhan-Pillard T3 was first all-metal construction floatplane built in France
- SPCA Paulhan-Pillard T3: 2 x 420 hp G-R 9 Jupiter radials, span 26.00 m
-- Thick wings, open side-by-side cockpit, open nose & dorsal gunner positions
- SPCA Paulhan-Pillard T3: 1st prototype, crashed La Ciotat harbour, 02 Aug 1928
- SPCA Paulhan-Pillard T3: 2nd prototype, 1930, 3-blade prop (inst. of 4-bladed)
-- One source also lists 650 hp Hispano-Suiza engines in place of Jupiters*
-- * This may represent confusion between T3 and SPCA 60T/Type IV Hermès
-- NB: Paulhan-Pillard T3 was designed by Marcel Pillard, built by Louis Paulhan
-- http://www.flickr.com/photos/runway27r/2910096405/ photo
-- http://www.navtechlife.com/Images l...oats/small_SPCA Paulhan-Pillard T3 103022.jpg
Société Provençale de Constructions Aéronautiques SPCA Numbers
SPCA 10 - 1928 trimotor parasol monoplane patrol flying boat, x 1
- SPCA 10: 5-seat maritime patrol parasol 'boat w/ outrigger floats*
- SPCA 10: 3 x 420 hp Gnome-Rhône 9Ac tractor radials, span 28.15 m
-- * Warren Truss bracing struts, aka SPCA Paulhan-Pillard I, Modèle II
-- NB: Some sources confused SPCA 10/Paulhan-Pillard I with the T3
-- 3v: http://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/flyboat/spca10/spca10-1.gif
SPCA 20 - 1928 Modèle II 2-engined low-wing monoplane seaplane, x 2
- SPCA 20: 4-seat, twin-float torpedo/nighter bomber, metal constr.
- SPCA 20: 2 x 480 hp Gnome-Rhône 9Ae radials, span 26.22 m
-- aka Paulhan-Pillard T3 (qv), T3 Bn.4 (night bomber), & Modèle II
SPCA 30 - 1931 twin-boomed, twin-engined multiplace de combat, x 2
- SPCA 30 : Open cockpit, open gun positions in nose & both booms
- SPCA 30 M4: (Multiplace de combat) 2 x inline engines, span 26.50 m
- SPCA 30 M4: 1st prototype, 2 x 650 hp Lorraine-Dietrich 18Kd W-18s
- SPCA 30 M4: 2nd prototype, 2 x 650 hp Hispano-Suiza 12N V-12s
-- aka SPCA III or Modèle III
SPCA 40 - 1929 metal trimotor high-wing monoplane mail plane
- SPCA 40: 2 of 3 engines podded under cantilever wings
- SPCA 40: Avion postal, fixed spatted main u/c, span 20.00 m
- 40T: 1929, 3 x 120 hp Salmson 9Ac 9-cyl. radials, 2 x built
- 41T: 1931, 3 x 135 hp Salmson 9Nc 9-cyl. radials, 1x built
-- SPCA 40T and 41T both aka SPCA Modèle VII
-- http://saharayro.free.fr/fwauthier1.htm SPCA 41T specs
- 218: 1932, 2 x 40T conv. to 41T standards, re-eng. w/ Salmson 9Ncs
-- 218: F-AKDY & F-AKDZ, used by CTA (Compagnie Transafricaine d'Aviation)
-- http://www.stampnotes.com/Today_in_Postal_History/073134.html photo
-- 218/2: 218 modified to increase range (from 425 km to 1,075 km)
- 42 : (Project) 1935, wind-tunnel tested, no other details
- 42T: (Project) 1935, wind-tunnel tested, no other details
SPCA 50 - (Project) 193? twin-engine scout-recce flying boat, abandoned 1933
- SPCA 50: For programme des hydavions eclaireurs et de grande reconnaissance
- SPCA 50: 2 x (??) hp (type?) engines, span 29.12 m, no other details
-- NB: SPCA 50 design led to civil SCPA 60T Hermès prototype (below)
SPCA 60 - 1932 twin-engined civilian transport seaplane transport, x 1
- SPCA 60T: 2 x 650 hp Hispano-Suiza 12Nbr V-12s,* span 29.12 m
-- * Twin HS 12Nbr V-12s were mounted in a tandem, push-pull pair
- SPCA 60T: aka Hermès, aka SPCA Type IV, proved structurally weak
SPCA 70 - [Project] trimotor 'pack plane' SPCA 30 deriv, 3 x 230 hp Salmson
- SPCA 70: Medevac config., 6 x litter cases or 12 x seated wounded/injured
-- http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,4023.0.html
SPCA 80 - 1932 police coloniale a/c, high-wing cantilever monoplane, 15m span
- SPCA 80: 2 crew + 4 pax, 1 x 300 hp Gnome-Rhône 7Kb, 1 built (F-AKFH)
- SPCA 81: 2nd version, 1 x Lorraine-Dietrich 9Na Algol radial, 1 built
- SPCA 82: 1934 conv. of SPCA 81 prototype to 1 x 350 hp Renault 9Ca radial
SPCA 90 - police coloniale a/c, high-wing cantilever monoplane, 22.35m span
- SPCA 90 : 1932, 3 x 350 hp 350 hp Gnome-Rhône 7Kd radials (uncowled)
-- NB: Despite some medevac use, no evidence of an 'SPCA 90S' designation
- SPCA 91T: 1934 civil transport, enlarged cabin (8 pax + baggage & toilet)
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