- Yes
- No
Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today, I’m introducing one of the first French anti-submarine aircraft designed after World War II: the Noroit 1401.
Following the Second World War, the French Navy expressed the need for a new anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol aircraft to replace their eclectic and aging Do-24s and Catalinas. Nord Aviation then proposed a first aircraft designed specifically for this purpose, the Noroit 1400. This first prototype was a twin-engine seaplane with three tail fins that proved to be underpowered. A second prototype was proposed (1401) before arriving at the final production version, the 1402. Equipped with a crew of seven, a maritime surveillance radar, and eight hardpoints, this aircraft served until 1956 before being replaced by more powerful aircraft such as the P2 Poseidon.
In the French armed forces, 21 Noroit 1401 and 1402 were used by numerous squadrons such as the 5F, 53S, and 33S. Deployed in France but also in the colonies, this aircraft dedicated to coastal patrol was used to detect sea mines scattered in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the English Channel after the Second World War. At the start of the Algerian War, the aircraft was brought to carry out surveillance missions of the Algerian coast to control approaching ships. Unfortunately, following a tragic accident which cost the lives of the entire crew in 1954 in Byzerte and the arrival of the P2 Poseidon, this aircraft was decommissioned and abandoned.
The aircraft I am offering you today is 1401 No. 5 (registration F-WFRO), this is the aircraft that carried out the various weapons tests at the Melun Villaroche test center from 1950 onwards.
Characteristics
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Length : 22.05 m
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Wingspan : 31.60 m
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Height : 7.63 m
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Mass :
- Empty : 16.7 tons
- Max : 22.3 tons
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Speed :
- Cruise : 206 km/h
- Max : 370 km/h (at 2650 m)
The aircraft is powered by two Bristol Hercules-100 engines, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 270 km/h and travel 3,450 km. Allowing it to perfectly carry out its maritime surveillance missions.
The crew consists of 7 people: 1 pilot, 1 co-pilot, 1 flight engineer, 1 navigator, and 3 gunners.
Equipment
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SFOM83 bomb drop sight positioned for the pilot
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Radar: a radar is installed above the aircraft, this allows the aircraft to carry out maritime search missions, however few details are known.
Weapons
- Guns :
- 2 x 20mm guns (frontal cannons)
- 2 x 2 20mm turrets (a PM-481 dorsal turret slightly offset to port and a rear turret)
The aircraft has various external hardpoints (4 hardpoints under each wing) as well as two internal weapons bay.
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Depth Charge
- 6 x AN-Mk-17 (350lbs)
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Bombs
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Rockets
In game this aircraft would be a very interesting addition to the French tree, bringing a modern maritime patrol seaplane with limited strike capability but good defensive capabilities, making it similar to the Be-2 and the Qing-6
