Breguet 763
| Breguet 763 Provence Breguet 765 Sahara |
|
|---|---|
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| Type: | Airliner , transport aircraft |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
February 15, 1949 |
| Commissioning: |
March 10, 1953 |
| Number of pieces: |
20th |
The Breguet 763 Provence was a civil short- and medium-haul transport aircraft with four piston engines , built by the French manufacturer Breguet . A military variant called the Breguet 765 Sahara was created for the French Air Force.
history
In 1944, Breguet resumed development of a series of four-engine aircraft with two decks for cargo and / or passengers (hence the French name Deux-Ponts for the complete series). The first drafts of a double-deck aircraft had already been presented in 1936 at the air show in Paris under the designation Breguet 760. The first built variant Breguet 761 had its maiden flight on February 15, 1949. Two years later the French government ordered twelve of the slightly improved variant Breguet 763 with a larger wingspan and more powerful engines for Air France . This version took off on its maiden flight on July 20, 1951 and was used by Air France from March 1953, primarily on the heavily used routes to North Africa.
The Provence was equipped for a total of 107 passengers, although a maximum of 135 passengers could have been carried with the appropriate seating arrangement. The construction with two decks gave the machine a very clumsy and beefy appearance.
At Air France, the Provence proved to be a robust and economical aircraft. In 1964 six units were handed over to the French Air Force , which was already operating the three pre-series Breguet 761S and four new Breguet 765 Sahara ; the remaining six were converted into freighters. The last aircraft from Air France were retired in 1971 and from the military in 1972.
Technical data (Breguet 763)
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 5 |
| Passengers | 107-135 |
| length | 28.94 m |
| span | 42.99 m |
| height | 9.55 m |
| Takeoff weight | 51,600 kg |
| Cruising speed | 380 km / h |
| Top speed | 390 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 7,300 m |
| Range | 2,165 km |
| Engines | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800 -CA18 with 2,400 hp each |
literature
- John Stroud: Breguet 763 Deux Ponts (Post-War Propliners # 2). In: Airplane Monthly. July 1992.
