French Aircraft Specifications 1919-1939

[PhR]

But that's mentioned by dear Caravellarella,
https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/th...rcel-bloch-mb-designations.12486/#post-122381

Air France decided to purchase D.338s as transition aircraft due to the delay of the T30 program aircraft. However, they are not part of the same program at all; they were not presented as competitors to CEPANA, which chose the Bloch 300 and the D.620.

You can refer to Avions issues 179 and 180 (January to April 2011) for D.620 that became D.342, as well as issues 201 and 202 (September to December 2014) for MB.300, and of course, the 2nd volume of "Les avions Marcel Bloch" (2025).

 

[hesham]

Hi,

there are two competitions,we didn't speak about them,

- North Atlantic Seaplane or Flying boat of 1934

- South Atlantic Seaplane or Flying boat of 1936

A few details are remained about them,any help ?.

 

[hesham]

Hi,

in which year this P3 competition,which the main contenders
were; Potez-568,Hanriot H.232,Amiot-390,Caudron C.445 &
Bloch MB.800 ?.

 

[hesham]

Hi,

in which year this P3 competition,which the main contenders
were; Potez-568,Hanriot H.232,Amiot-390,Caudron C.445 &
Bloch MB.800 ?.

I think it was from 1936 to 1937 ?

 

[hesham]

Hi,

may I miss this competition,for transport aircraft,which main
contenders were; Potez-661,Bloch-160 and Dewoitine Design,
who know more about it,or in which year ?.

 

[PhR]

Hi,

may I miss this competition,for transport aircraft,which main
contenders were; Potez-661,Bloch-160 and Dewoitine Design,
who know more about it,or in which year ?.

Extract translated from this book: https://www.aviationbookcentre.com/...tome-3-chasseurs-et-autres-developments-p7821

The spectacular progress made in the meantime by Air Afrique allowed it to consider taking a new step in its development. To this end, it drew up specifications for two types of aircraft: a large, high-speed, four-engine aircraft for the Algiers-Bangui route and a medium-sized, light, four-engine aircraft with "good speed" for other routes. A technical program was then drawn up at the company's request and published on September 25th, 1936. The specific adaptations required for use in Africa and the small number of aircraft to be manufactured did not inspire much enthusiasm among the manufacturers. Potez proposed a project for a medium-sized, four-engine colonial aircraft, which would give rise to the Potez 661 and 662, while Bloch could meet the demand for the large aircraft with its Bloch 160.​

As you can see, The Potez 661 and the Bloch 160 were not really competing, as each of them responds to a different program. I don't have any trace about a potential other contender from Dewoitine. Could you please elaborate?

 

[hesham]

As you can see, The Potez 661 and the Bloch 160 were not really competing, as each of them responds to a different program. I don't have any trace about a potential other contender from Dewoitine. Could you please elaborate?

At first,it was in Docavia 17.

 

[hesham]

At first,it was in Docavia 17.

May it was D.690 ?.

 

[PhR]

At first,it was in Docavia 17.

"Quadrimoteur commercial" is not the same category. The two programs for Air Afrique require colonial four-engine aircraft. This Dewoitine project was not a contender for neither Bloch 160 nor Potez 661.

May it was D.690 ?.

Did you invent it?

 

[PhR]

At first,it was in Docavia 17.

You scanned partially the index page 472. This "avant-projet" (simple feasability study, not a real project) is presented pages 434-436. It responds to a program for "avions de transport quadrimoteurs légers", for which none of Potez 661 not Bloch 160 was designed (this is a mistake from Raymond Danel). It seems that this inital program was cancelled without competition.
See attached the drawing from Jean Cuny in the Docavia, with no number.

 

[hesham]

You scanned partially the index page 472. This "avant-projet" (simple feasability study, not a real project) is presented pages 434-436. It responds to a program for "avions de transport quadrimoteurs légers", for which none of Potez 661 not Bloch 160 was designed (this is a mistake from Raymond Danel). It seems that this inital program was cancelled without competition.
See attached the drawing from Jean Cuny in the Docavia, with no number.

OK,and that's only my speculation about the designation; D.690 ?.

 

[hesham]

- C.1 single seat shipboard fighter, SNCAO CAO.1000,Dewoitine D.590,Latecoere Late.675 and Bloch MB.720

For this competition,also SNCAN submitted a proposal ?!.

 

[PhR]

For this competition,also SNCAN submitted a proposal ?!.

No: the CEPANA met on July 6, 1939, to select from among all the candidates for the A80 program. The contenders were the Bloch 720, the Breguet-Latécoère 675, the Dewoitine 790, the Gourdou 130, and the CAO.1000. No other candidates were presented to the review committee. The Bloch was immediately ruled out. After deliberations, the Breguet and the Dewoitine were selected.

 

[hesham]

No: the CEPANA met on July 6, 1939, to select from among all the candidates for the A75 program. The contenders were the Bloch 720, the Breguet-Latécoère 675, the Dewoitine 790, the Gourdou 130, and the CAO.1000. No other candidates were presented to the review committee. The Bloch was immediately ruled out. After deliberations, the Breguet and the Dewoitine were selected.

That's not my opinion,it's mentioned in Docavia 34.

 

[PhR]

That's not my opinion,it's mentioned in Docavia 34.

It's not an opinion, it's a fact. The complete list of contenders comes directly from the CEPANA report.

The Docavia says "Various manufacturers answered to these programs", not "this program". Potez-Mureaux had submitted a project to another program, but not to the A80.

 

[hesham]

The Docavia says "Various manufacturers answered to these programs", not "this program". Potez-Mureaux had submitted a project to another program, but not to the A80.

If you meant SNCAN-180,of course the author knew it,and it was for another program,but
in the text he spoke about A80 contenders,I think we should ask him.

 

[PhR]

If you meant SNCAN-180,of course the author knew it,and it was for another program,but
in the text he spoke about A80 contenders,I think we should ask him.

Docavia 34 author was Jean Cuny, . I knew him, but I cannot ask him right now, as he died in 1992.
I found your extract in page 262. It is in the section speaking about both programs A75 and A80, not just A80. This is why he wrote "ces programmes" (these programs) and not "ce programme" (this program). You have just misinterpreted French text.

SNCAN answered to A75 for a single-seat fighter seaplane, where the contenders were Dewoitine HD.780, Latécoère 670, 671, 672, 673, CAO 500 and Mureaux-Potez-CAMS 170 (SNCAN).

The SNCAN-Potez 180 has no connection to these two programs.