- Yes
- No
History:
The SNCASO SO.4000 “Vautour I” was an experimental French bomber developped in the 1950s. It was the first jet bomber developped by France, despite never reaching operational service. The aircraft was an all-metal twin-engine monoplane with a central wing featuring a 31-degree sweep. Two Rolls-Royce Nene 102 turbojet engines, each producing 2,270 kgf of thrust, were installed in the fuselage. The engines’ side air intakes were located between the cockpit and the wing root. A distinctive feature of the bomber was its uniquely designed undercarriage, consisting of five single-wheel bearings (one arc and four main), arranged in pairs beneath the central fuselage section. According to the design, its armament was to consist of two 20mm automatic cannons, housed in external containers. The bomb load was up to 3600 kg; four 450 kg bombs were placed in the internal bomb bay, and the same number were placed on the external hardpoints under the wings.
During taxiing tests, the aircraft veered sharply to the left, ran off the runway, broke its landing gear, and came to rest on its belly. Following the incidents during taxiing tests, the company decided to use the repair time to modify certain components such as the airbrakes and flaps, and to install an ejection seat in the rear. The prototye performed its first and only test flight on 15 March 1951, it was immediately deemed unstable with a strong tendency to roll. The flight was therefore limited and conducted with the landing gear extended. Given the extent of the modifications required, it was decided that this first flight would also be the last. It was decided to abandon development, as the design was made obsolete by rapid advances in the field of aviation. The plane was deemed overweight and underpowered. However, the SO.4000 formed the basis for the successful SO.4050 Vautour II, which is already in the game.
In the game:
This aircraft would perfectly fulfilled the role of a filler between the Lancaster MR.7 and the Vautour II bombers for rank V, as it is their direct predecessor.
General Characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 19,75 m
Wingspan: 17.86 m
Wing area: 74,82 m2
Height: 5.78 m
Empty weight: 13,920 kg
Loaded weight: 22,220 kg
Max. takeoff weight: 25,360 kg
Powerplant: 2 x Hispano-Suiza Nene Mk.102 turbojet engines (2,260 kgf, 22.2 kN, 5,004 lbf per engine)
Performance
Maximum speed:
- at 9,000 m: 960 km/h
Maximum speed limit: Mach 0.78
Service ceiling: 10,000 m
Rate of climb: 11 m/s
Range: 1,900 km
Armament
Guns: 2 x 20mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannons in suspended containers (ammunition count unknown, but possibly 60 rpg and 120 total)
Bombs: Up to 3,600 kg of ordnance (1,800 kg internal, 1,800 kg external)
-
4 x 450 kg internal
-
4 x 450 kg external
Pictures:
Sources:
-Prototypes.com/Le Sud-Ouest SO-4000/V. Essai et abandon du SO-4000
-Aviamaster. Andrei Haruk. Three in one
-Docavia. Jean Cuny. Les Avions de combat francais
-S.N.C.A.S.O. SO-4000 - SO 4000 - Bombardier moyen - Un siècle d'aviation française
-Emmanuel Gustin. Military Aircraft Database
