- Yes
- No
Hello and welcome to this new proposal.
Today, I’m introducing you to a new French aircraft, a prototype intended to revolutionize French naval aviation, which unfortunately never entered service. I’m talking about the SNCAC NC.1070.
During the Second World War, the French government informed the country’s manufacturers that it wanted a French aircraft capable of operating from an aircraft carrier for bombing and torpedoing purposes. No results were provided for this request before the end of the war. However, in 1947, the SNCAC (Société Nationale des Constructions Aéronautiques du Centre) proposed an aircraft designed to meet these specifications. It was visually striking (twice as wide as it was long) but offered interesting performance and more or less met the required criteria (the aircraft was slightly too heavy to be operated from an aircraft carrier). This aircraft was the SNCAC NC.1070.
This aircraft, therefore intended for a torpedo bomber role operating from aircraft carriers, will unfortunately never see its production, in fact if it met the specifications requested 5 years earlier, this aircraft no longer corresponded to the needs or the technologies of the time (the end of the 40s saw the arrival and the putting into production of numerous prototypes of jet aircraft). In addition, a landing accident in 1948 damaged the aircraft which was never repaired, marking the end of the NC.1070. However, the work carried out on it will not have been in vain because the SNCAC will use a similar chassis for the production of its next aircraft, the NC.1071. This first prototype will still remain in the history of French aeronautics as an original aircraft but behind its time.
Characteristics
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Length : 20.00 m
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Width : 10.20 m
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Height : 4.60 m
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Wing Area : 50.00 m²
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Mass :
- Min : 7,850 kg
- Max : 10,700 kg
This prototype is powered by two 1600 hp Gnome & Rhône 14R-24s, enabling it to reach a top speed of 578 km/h at an altitude of 6900 m. Its ceiling is 9950 m and its range is 3400 km.
The crew consists of three people: a pilot, a tail gunner, and an observer, located in the nose of the aircraft (the nose is partially glazed).
Weapons
The aircraft has basic armament allowing it to defend itself effectively against various threats that may threaten it but also to attack light targets. In addition, it can carry 800 kg of secondary armament in its bomb bay or under its wings.
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Guns :
- 2 x 30mm Hispano guns (fixed barrel facing forward)
- 2 x 20mm MG 151 guns (rear turret)
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Bombs :
- Up to 800 kg of bombs (american 500lb or depth charge in the bomb bay)
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Rockets :
- 127mm HVAR rockets
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Torpedo :
- 1 x 780 kg Torpedo in the bomb bay (unknow model)
Pictures
In-game, this prototype aircraft would be extremely interesting for the French tree, bringing a more modern bombing/torpedo aircraft than the aircraft already present in the tree and possessing a very unique silhouette. In addition, this aircraft would completely complete the ground attack tree and would therefore be a great addition.
Sources
- “Les avions de combat (1944-1960) Tome 2 ; chasse lourde, bombardement, assaut, exploration” by Jean Cuny
- 10 résultats | CLADE.net
- SNCAC NC.1071 — avionslegendaires.net
- SNCAC NC.1070
- S.N.C.A.C. NC-1070 - Torpillage - Un siècle d’aviation française
- Le 23 mai 1947 dans le ciel : le SNCAC NC.1070 fait son 1er vol | Air Journal