AAC.1 Toucan: Workhorse with a bite

[panzerknoef 636]

In this suggestion we'll be looking at the French built Ju-52, the AAC.1 Toucan.

 

As you might see, the AAC.1 Toucan is in fact a Junkers Ju-52, in fact, it is a version of this aircraft that was built by Amiot in France. The Toucan refers specifically to the version of this aircraft that was built in France after world war 2. The story of the Ju-52 in France starts a bit earlier than that though. After the occupation of France by Germany, the occupier made good use of the remaining industry in France for its own purpose. Part of this was assigning the Amiot factory in Colombes to make Ju-52s for them. The engines would be made by Gnome Rhône & Hispano Suiza, both of which were assigned to produce the BMW 132T engines. Production started in 1942 and by the end of the war, Amiot had produced more than 600 Ju-52s. Amiot would be reorganized in late 1944, and with that came a rebranding to Ateliers Aéronautique Colombes, or AAC. After the war, a couple of Ju-52s came to be in France's possession, amounting to 40 airframes. These would initially just continue to be known as the Ju-52 in France. 

 

 

Post-war France found itself in a pretty sorry state, with most of its industry heavily damaged and local vehicle development lagging years behind. Worse still, in September 1945 the US stopped its lend-lease deal with France, meaning that US aircraft could no longer be acquired cheaply. Therefore it was decided that producing vehicles locally would still be more economically favorable, even if the machines they could produce at the time did not necessarily match what the air force wanted. And so in 1945, it was decided to restart the production of the Ju-52 in the AAC factories. The decision to build Ju-52s was a simple one, after the defeat of Germany all their patents had been seized by the allies. This meant that the Ju-52 could be produced locally without the need for a license. The newly built vehicles were designated AAC.1 Toucan and at the same time, the 40 pre-existing Ju-52s were also assigned this designation. The engines were made by the newly created SNECMA, a government conglomerate that inherited whatever remained of Gnome & Rhône, Lorraine-Dietrich, and Regnier. Differences between the Toucan and Ju-52 were hardly there, but they did exist. First and foremost, no Toucan ever had any mountings for defensive gunners. They also never had any internal bomb bays. And lastly, the Toucans never had the iconic circular RDF loop, instead going with a blade type further towards the rear of the plane. Among other differences is the removal of ground-crew handles on the wingtips and the occasional addition of a second wire antenna on top of the aircraft. By the time production ended in 1948, more than 400 Toucans had been built, and these were supplied to military and civilian operators. 

 

 

The baptism of fire for the Toucans came in 1947 when an uprising occurred in then-French-owned Madagascar. 20 air force Toucans were present on the island and they were immediately put to use as transports. However, here we also see the first use of the Toucan as more than just a transport. The airplanes were supposedly fitted with bomb racks and were then supplied with leftover Luftwaffe bombs that France had in storage. While no images exist of this loadout, one report supposedly notes a Toucan flying with more than a ton of bombs on board. They also used improvised bombs, which were nothing more than crates filled with explosives that would be shoved out of the cargo door.  The Toucan was also sent to French Indochina where it was used in the same role. It was noted that the Toucan was far from suited to this type of operation, it was fairly unstable in bombing runs and lacked any kind of bomb sight, making accuracy a big issue. In many cases, there was simply no other choice though, so they continued to be occasionally used in this role. The planes were fitted with locally made bomb racks under the fuselage and wings. In Indochina, France also continued to use improvised crate bombs and added improvised napalm bombs to that. The latter were just shipping tins refilled with Napalm that would be thrown out the cargo door. The Toucan was replaced in Indochina in 1951 by the much more reliable C-47. Reliability is the key here as the Ju-52s performed particularly poorly in Indochina. They were not suited to the hot and humid climate of South-East Asia, resulting in as much as 2/3s of the fleet usually being unavailable. After being removed from service in Indochina, they would once again see service in 1954, this time in Algeria. However, the role of the aircraft as an improvised bomber came to an end here after a Toucan managed to damage itself by bombing from too low, which resulted in the air force banning the use of the Toucan to bomb targets. The aircraft continued to be in service with the French air force until 1961 when it was finally retired.

 

General characteristics:

Crew: 2 - 3

Width: 29.25m

Length: 18.9m

Height: 5m

Empty weight: 5,720 kg

Gross weight: 9,500 kg

Max takeoff weight: 10,499 kg

Powerplant: 3 × BMW 132T 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 720 hp each

Maximum speed: 276.8 km/h

Range: 998 km

Service ceiling: 5,900 m

Rate of climb: 3.9 m/s

 

Armament (in Indochina): 

Bombs: Several bomb racks under the fuselage and wings that could carry the following:

• Up to 16x 50kg pre-WWII French 50KG Mle. A type bomb.
• US anti-personnel bombs (20lb M41?)
• An unknown number of improvised crate bombs.
• An unknown number of improvised napalm canisters.

 

Function in the game:

I think this plane could be a fun low-tier premium or event vehicle for France. A loadout of up to 16x 50kg bombs can definitely do some harm against rank 1 vehicles. It would probably play as a larger Po-2, an aircraft that everyone knows and loves. Just like said Po-2 the Toucan is exceedingly slow and can only carry light ordnance. Unlike the Po-2 though, the Toucan has absolutely no means to defend itself. The aircraft being a part of the Ju-52 family should also give it some appeal to the general public as it is a very well-known airframe. The loadouts with improvised and anti-personnel bombs most likely have no point in game and I would expect them to be left out if the plane ever makes it into the game. All-in-all I think the Toucan could be a fun meme addition to the French tree. It definitely deserves a place in game given its surprisingly long service life in the French air force. 

 

 

Sources:

Spoiler

https://www.key.aero/article/cold-war-history-french-ju-52s

https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2020/04/11/aac-1-toucan-frances-post-wwii-ju-52/

https://www.aeroweb-fr.net/appareils/amiot-aac-1-toucan

https://www.avionslegendaires.net/avion-militaire/amiot-aac-1-toucan/

https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/15342/amiot-aac-1-toucan

 

Additional images:

Spoiler

 

Edited February 2 by panzerknoef

[Miki_Hoshii 2,420]

Open for discussion.

[Milocat 4,689]

+1, would be a fun tier 1 bomber for France!

[Arghail 1,144]

As much as I like this aircraft, I fear it's unfit for the game. I could accept a fast bomber with a poor bombload, or a slow bomber with good defenses, or a bomber with no defenses but with a good bombload, etc.

But In my opinion, a bomber with mediocre bombload, mediocre speed (and manoeuvrability, unlike a PO-2) and no defenses whatsoever couldn't be fun in any way, shape or form. I'd say no.

Edited February 2 by Arghail

[Valcour 1,105]

+1

[Atomeur 525]

This plane is just useless. Already with the PO2 I feel useless as you can't imagine, so a plane like that with a low bombload and no defensive armament is useless, a waste of time developping a plane which will take the place of a true French plane with comparable performance and with defensive armament.

Here is a list of planes with comparable speed, bombload and with defensive armament and which I prefer to see :

Bloch 200

Bloch 210

Amiot 143

Bloch 131

Breguet 274

Breguet 410

Latécoère 550

Lioré et Olivier 208

SAB AB 80

Bernard 82

I even prefer to see French floatplanes with comparable performances such as :

CAMS 110

Latécoère 440

Farman 410

Lioré et Olivier H-46

(To see the planes :

 )

They nearly all have a better bombload and a better speed. Nobody will play this plane. I prefer to see it in German Tech Tree, THIS is his right place.

Edited February 6 by Atomeur

[panzerknoef 636]

18 hours ago, Atomeur said:

This plane is just useless. Already with the PO2 I feel useless as you can't imagine, so a plane like that with a low bombload and no defensive armament is useless, a waste of time developping a plane which will take the place of a true French plane with comparable performance and with defensive armament.

Here is a list of planes with comparable speed, bombload and with defensive armament and which I prefer to see :

Bloch 200

Bloch 210

Amiot 143

Bloch 131

Breguet 274

Breguet 410

Latécoère 550

Lioré et Olivier 208

SAB AB 80

Bernard 82

I even prefer to see French floatplanes with comparable performances such as :

CAMS 110

Latécoère 440

Farman 410

Lioré et Olivier H-46

(To see the planes :

 )

They nearly all have a better bombload and a better speed. Nobody will play this plane. I prefer to see it in German Tech Tree, THIS is his right place.

 

The thing with this plane is that it would never take up actual dedicated development time. It would just piggy-back on the effort that is going to be put in anyway when the aircraft is developed for the German tree. I wouldn't want it to be prioritized over any of the ones you posted either. 

However, as a vehicle that was used in offensive duties by the AdA I felt like it deserves a suggestion, no matter how useless it would possibly be. 

[Atomeur 525]

10 hours ago, panzerknoef said:

The thing with this plane is that it would never take up actual dedicated development time. It would just piggy-back on the effort that is going to be put in anyway when the aircraft is developed for the German tree. I wouldn't want it to be prioritized over any of the ones you posted either. 

However, as a vehicle that was used in offensive duties by the AdA I felt like it deserves a suggestion, no matter how useless it would possibly be. 

But it is absurd. What is the purpose of doing the suggestion of an airplane that nobody wants to see and play in game ?

You want to suggest a plane that did offensive duties ? Why not suggesting all true and more usefull French airplanes such as the Latécoère 300/301/302, the Latécoère 521/522/523, the SAB AB 20/21/22, the ANF les Mureaux 115/117, the Farman NC 470, Levasseur PL15/17 etc... There is tons of French siggestions to do, so why putting this one ? This plane can bring nothing...

[lancasteryak 17]

2 hours ago, Atomeur said:

Mais c’est absurde. Quel est le but de faire la suggestion d’un avion que personne ne veut voir et jouer dans le jeu ?

Vous voulez suggérer un avion qui a fait des tâches offensives ? Pourquoi ne pas suggérer tous les vrais et plus utiles Français avions tels que le Latécoère 300/301/302, le Latécoère 521/522/523, le SAB AB 20/21/22, l’ANF les Mureaux 115/117, le Farman NC 470, le Levasseur PL15/17 etc... Il y a des tonnes de Français siggestions à faire, alors pourquoi mettre celui-ci ? Cet avion ne peut rien apporter...

for me, he could be for decoration of the french hangar, but no more, sorry but he is too weak, and in France we know him more for being the aircraft of indochine for ambulance

[panzerknoef 636]

3 hours ago, Atomeur said:

But it is absurd. What is the purpose of doing the suggestion of an airplane that nobody wants to see and play in game ?

You want to suggest a plane that did offensive duties ? Why not suggesting all true and more usefull French airplanes such as the Latécoère 300/301/302, the Latécoère 521/522/523, the SAB AB 20/21/22, the ANF les Mureaux 115/117, the Farman NC 470, Levasseur PL15/17 etc... There is tons of French siggestions to do, so why putting this one ? This plane can bring nothing...

1. I'm not done making suggestions with this one. 

2. I don't have a system of priority in making suggestions, this one looked fun enough and I found a nice deal of information so I just got to it. 

3. I'm not an all-knowing being that knows about every vehicle ever built. I come across things, I'm interested, I write a suggestion, simple as that.

 

I don't judge you for not wanting it at all, that's your opinion and it's a fair one. But if you want those other aircraft then I warmly invite you to write their suggestions. I didn't know the vehicles yet, and I wouldn't want to get between you and them. 

[Atomeur 525]

17 hours ago, panzerknoef said:

1. I'm not done making suggestions with this one. 

2. I don't have a system of priority in making suggestions, this one looked fun enough and I found a nice deal of information so I just got to it. 

3. I'm not an all-knowing being that knows about every vehicle ever built. I come across things, I'm interested, I write a suggestion, simple as that.

 

I don't judge you for not wanting it at all, that's your opinion and it's a fair one. But if you want those other aircraft then I warmly invite you to write their suggestions. I didn't know the vehicles yet, and I wouldn't want to get between you and them. 

Calm down, it was not an agression, I just tried to understand why this thing. I always play French and everybody around me thinks that French vehicles, in general, don't deal enough damages. No matter what others can say about it, this is what I mostly (and nearly always) hear around me and this is also why people in general are not playing French Tech Tree (with other complentary points, of course).

So try to understand me : everybody around me says that French vehicles mostly deals not a lot of damages and I see someone puting a suggestion for a plane big with no defensive or offensive armament and only 50 kg bombs.

You don't hear around you that French vehicles deals no damages ? Tell me, because I think it is important to talk about it. Personnally I see only very few people playing French Tech Tree...

 

The thing is that Gaijin doesn't have the word "prioroty". This means that if you don't want to see this plane taking the place of another plane, Gaijin doesn't understand this and will jnot taking it anto account and will just consider the number of "yes" votes and sometimes if the plane is easy to design.

 

17 hours ago, panzerknoef said:

I warmly invite you to write their suggestions. I didn't know the vehicles yet, and I wouldn't want to get between you and them. 

I really thank you for your invitation but unfortunately I don't have the time to write suggestions. I really thank you for not beeing between me and the other suggestions to make and I will have it in mind for the future but my time and work I need to do doens't allow me to put enough time in it. However, I took a little of it to send a list of some other planes. But you still can do what you want, you're free.

19 hours ago, lancasteryak said:

he could be for decoration

Is he already design for decoration in the game ? I heard about it once...

[panzerknoef 636]

55 minutes ago, Atomeur said:

Calm down, it was not an agression, I just tried to understand why this thing. I always play French and everybody around me thinks that French vehicles, in general, don't deal enough damages. No matter what others can say about it, this is what I mostly (and nearly always) hear around me and this is also why people in general are not playing French Tech Tree (with other complentary points, of course).

So try to understand me : everybody around me says that French vehicles mostly deals not a lot of damages and I see someone puting a suggestion for a plane big with no defensive or offensive armament and only 50 kg bombs.

You don't hear around you that French vehicles deals no damages ? Tell me, because I think it is important to talk about it. Personnally I see only very few people playing French Tech Tree...

 

The thing is that Gaijin doesn't have the word "prioroty". This means that if you don't want to see this plane taking the place of another plane, Gaijin doesn't understand this and will jnot taking it anto account and will just consider the number of "yes" votes and sometimes if the plane is easy to design.

 

I really thank you for your invitation but unfortunately I don't have the time to write suggestions. I really thank you for not beeing between me and the other suggestions to make and I will have it in mind for the future but my time and work I need to do doens't allow me to put enough time in it. However, I took a little of it to send a list of some other planes. But you still can do what you want, you're free.

Is he already design for decoration in the game ? I heard about it once...

A lot of 50kg bombs at 1.0 can actually still do a significant amount of damage, and you have 16x of them which is definitely not bad. I did look at the aircraft you suggested and some of those seemed to have no more than 4x 50kg or 75kg bombs (quick Wikipedia search so that could be very wrong ofc). Even if those did have defensive gunners, I would actually prefer to have 16 of the same small bombs and no gunners. It's all just personal opinions, just saying. And as I said, I respect yours for not being interested in this plane. 

 

Gaijin definitely does have priorities, and what they care about is not only votes but also how much a suggestion is talked about in general. If you wish to push a suggestion, bring it up often, talk about the vehicle and then mods will usually see there is a demand for it and pass it on to the developers. 

 

Anyways, today I wrote the suggestion for the Amiot 351, I'm sure you'll appreciate that more than this one when it gets approved