Transall - Origins, Variants & Projects

Hello everyone,
in the July 2025 issue of the French aviation magazine "Le Fana de l'Aviation," there is a two-page about the Transall "C-161 Jet." No screenshots of this article have been posted on their Facebook page so far.
Edit: Here a detailed summary of this article.
The article delves into the C-161 "Jet," a project from the 1970s that aimed to convert the C-160 "Transall" into a jet-powered medium-lift aircraft. The project proposed replacing the turboprop engines with two Pratt & Whitney JT3D turbojets, which were also used in the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8. This modification was intended to improve the aircraft's speed and payload capacity.

The C-161 "Jet" was envisioned to have a modified fuselage with a cargo door at the front that opened high, similar to the cargo version of the 747. The cockpit was positioned over the cargo hold, and the aircraft could carry a maximum load of 24 tons. The aircraft was slightly larger than the original "Transall," with a length of 35 meters compared to 32.4 meters, but the wingspan remained unchanged at 40 meters. The hold was expanded to 189 cubic meters from 115 cubic meters, allowing it to carry standardized containers. According to a promotional brochure, the aircraft was perfectly suited for connections between major airports and regional services.

However, the project faced several challenges. By abandoning the Rolls-Royce "Tyne" turboprops, the "Transall" lost its essential qualities: its ability to fly slowly, climb quickly, and make short landings. The jet engines did not provide the same control at low speeds as the original turboprops, making the aircraft less suitable for rough terrain and short landings. Additionally, the fuel consumption of the jet engines at low altitudes was significantly higher, reducing the aircraft's range and profitability.

The jet-powered "Transall" was projected into a world where the main operational need remained that of a rustic transport, suitable for African terrain, bush roads, humanitarian missions, and high-intensity engagements. Neither the French Air Force nor the Luftwaffe were seduced by the C-161 "Jet," nor were civilian operators. The possibility of a demonstrator was barely mentioned but never moved on to construction 3. The program was quietly shelved, and only a few mentions remain today in Airbus industrial archives.

The article also mentions that the concept of a jet-powered "Transall" could have had strategic transport benefits, but the focus shifted to developing the Airbus A400M, which combined speed, range, and ruggedness with modern turboprops. The first projects of the FLA had jet engines, which were abandoned for modern, high-powered turboprops. The C-161 "Jet" remains a fascinating, almost incongruous image of a "Transall" driven by the same breath as the civilian intercontinental. An unlikely cross between a DC-8 and an Army truck.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
fightingirish said:
Hello everyone,
in the July 2025 issue of the French aviation magazine "Le Fana de l'Aviation," there is a two-page article about the Transall "C-161 Jet." No screenshots of this article have been posted on their Facebook page so far.
Click to expand...

Believe me my dear Rolf,if they produced it after Transall,it would be a bridge
between C-160 and FLA,and no need to Lockheed C-130 ?.
 
Does anyone have more info or pics about the maritime/ASW and AEW version? They looks so cool!

But I'm curious about where would the sonobuoys be located in the plane
And what about the armament? Could it also have armament inside? Like a P-3 Orion, for example

Also is it possible to give it cannon that could fire at ground targets? Like a AC-130
 
ElTeletubi said:
Does anyone have more info or pics about the maritime/ASW and AEW version? They looks so cool!

But I'm curious about where would the sonobuoys be located in the plane
And what about the armament? Could it also have armament inside? Like a P-3 Orion, for example
Click to expand...
The ASF seems to have placed the sonobuoys in the rear of the large undercarriage sponsons.
Armament looks to be on underwing hardpoints and undercarriage sponson hardpoints.

Would the ASF be applicable to only newbuilds, or could previously produced airlifters be modified?
 
Dear Boys & Girls, spotted yesterday on ebay.co.uk - what appears to be an original manufacturer's model in 1/100 scale of the C-161C commercial freighter Transall project (oddly labelled as the C-161J jet transport). The eBay listing also contains press & manufacturer's drawings of both the C-161C and the jet-powered C-161J - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/227154435394
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Terry (Caravellarella)
 

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