Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 10/10/2026Max Holste ‘Broussard Major’ was intended to result in a rugged, low-cost and highly versatile aircraft, capable of carrying up to 9 passengers, cargo, or even being used for medical evacuation. A mockup of the fuselage was produced in 1961, but the aircraft was never built. 0333
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Advertisement for the Potez 75, a prototype anti-tank and ground-attack aircraft of the STOL type, designed for unprepared airfields. During its maiden flight in 1953, it immediately revealed its limitations. The Air Force rejected it: it simply belonged to a different era. 092
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Configuration "courtoisie" envisaged in 1959 for the seating arrangement of the Potez 840, an elegant four-engine single-aisle passenger aircraft. It was the last aircraft to bear the Potez name. First flight in 1961. 4275
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 09/10/2026The first Caravelle, circa 1956, in the old Air France livery. © Marlène Aviation 0211
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 07/10/2026It is true that French bombers from the WWII are, on the whole, rather unattractive; this is because the new generation then under development could not be produced before 1940. A case in point is the Bloch MB.135, a medium bomber from 1939 capable of reaching speeds of over 500 km/h. 2213
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 07/10/2026The magnificent strangeness of the SE-2410 "Grognard", a prototype twin-engine attack aircraft from 1950. 0416
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 07/10/2026static.klipy.comHomer Simpson Sprays Bleach in EyesALT: Homer Simpson Sprays Bleach in Eyes 280
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 07/10/2026The Weymann 66 was a multi-purpose aircraft for police units in the French colonies. It was a four-seater high-wing aircraft powered by three Lorraine engines. It made its first flight in 1933. For its potential customers, it seemed too complicated and the MB.120. was preferred. 3395
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 06/10/2026The 1937 Amiot 370 was a record plane derived from the Amiot 340 bomber, and set eleven international speed records. Flying at 437 km/h over 2000 kms with different loads (500, 1000 and 2000 kg). It also held the speed record over 5000 kms and 10000 kms. 25715
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 06/10/2026The Arsenal VG-33 was a formidable French fighter from 1939, but, due to the war, it was never produced in large numbers. It was superior to all French fighters in service, flying 30 km/h faster than the D.520, whilst being fitted with an older and less powerful engine. 0323
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 04/10/2026The Morane-Saulnier M.S.406’s retractable radiator in the raised and lowered positions. This system proved to present a paradox: whilst it was retracted at high speed to minimise drag, it was no longer sufficient to cool the engine properly when it was running at full power. 0317
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Dewoitine D.333 was an airliner of the 30's. It was a more modern evolution of the prototype D.332. Built in 3 examples, it was used by Air France on its Toulouse-Dakar route. Interestingly, the baggage and cargo compartment was located between the cockpit and the front engine. 2387
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 30/09/2026For those who wonder (and you are quite legitimate to doubt) yes, the VTOL C.450 Coléoptère has already flown, in all it will be 7 stationary flights that will be made in 1959 before the crash of the prototype. © Espace Patrimoine Safran 46320
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Fifty years separate these two aircraft: the meeting between the legendary Blériot XI and the C.450 “Coléoptère”, an experimental VTOL aircraft, in April 1959. 05717
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 29/09/2026The Amiot 144 was a bomber prototype derived directly from the famous Amiot 143 ‘flying greenhouse’. It was a modernised version, featuring the installation of an electrically retractable landing gear. It made its maiden flight in January 1936 but was not put into series production. 1364
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Loading a car and the take-off of the Breguet “Deux Ponts”. It was a cargo and passenger aircraft introduced in 1949 and operated by Air France from 1953 to 1972. Its most distinctive feature is its two-deck configuration. © Ecpad 1447
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Although popularised by the British "Vickers Wellington" bomber, the geodesic construction technique was first used on an aircraft in the early 1920s with the Latécoère Laté-6, an all-metal bomber. 47415
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 16/09/2026The Dewoitine D.520 was truly a magnificent fighter aircraft... 2463
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 16/09/2026It's not easy to find video footage of the Dewoitine D.520 fighter from WWII, but here's one. It shows the II/18 ‘Saintonge’ bombing group, formed in November 1944 under the name ‘Doret’. Its mission was to help crush pockets of Nazi resistance in the Atlantic. 26217
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 16/09/2026The Microturbo "Microjet 200" from 1980 was a French two-seater aircraft equipped with two low-power Microturbo engines. It was designed for pilot training, and was to be characterised by very low purchase and operating costs. © PHILIPPE RICCO 1427
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 13/09/2026The aircraft’s speed was due to its exceptionally refined aerodynamics. 1270
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 13/09/2026In 1936, the Caudron C-460 trounced its American rivals on their own turf by winning the Greve and Thompson Trophy. With its 380 hp, it beat aircraft with 750 or even 1,000 hp. Furious, the Americans then demanded to check that the engine complied with the race regulations, which it did. 2466
Reposted by Marlène AviationBob @bobmm.bsky.social · 12/09/2026One for @aviationmarlene.bsky.social a rare visitor to the UK #avgeek 1182
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 13/09/2026As the air racing project never materialised, the company shifted its efforts to the development of the Fouga CM 170R "Magister". 0252
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 13/09/2026The Fouga CM8 R8.3 ‘Midget’ racing aircraft was a further development of the jet-powered gliders produced by Fouga. Eight aircraft had been ordered in late 1951 to take part in 500 km air races in which all participants would be flying the same type of aircraft. ©Philippe Bezard 1356
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Although it flew successfully for six months, the outbreak of war brought an end to both the aircraft and the project. 090
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Having observed the performance of the Fieseler "Fi-156", France decided in the late 1930s to acquire an aircraft with similar characteristics. The "SFAN-11" was therefore a prototype observation aircraft from 1940, designed for short take-off and landing capabilities. 1449
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 11/09/2026The Potez 540 was a multi-role French aircraft from 1932. It entered service in 1933 with the French Air Force, where it served as a reconnaissance bomber. Although it very quickly became obsolete, it remained in service in secondary roles during the Second World War. 0253
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 11/09/2026In 1935, the four-engined Farman F.221 bomber, registered as No. 14, was converted into the ‘F.2200’ and delivered to Air France. It was named ‘Ville de Natal’. It regularly flew across the South Atlantic from Dakar as part of Air France’s airmail service. 1387
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 10/09/2026I’m really pleased to have designed the cover for my good friends’ academic thesis. If you’re interested in the early days of the french space programme & why the launch centre is located in French Guiana, you might find this of interest. A link to the book : amzn.eu/d/0829kRKl 1303
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 09/09/2026The Potez 53 was a single-seater racing plane produced specifically to take part in the 1933 "Coupe Deutsch de la Meurthe" speed race. It made its maiden flight just one month before the race, on 29 May, which it won. It is now on display at the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace du Bourget. 0635
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Richard-Penhoët 2 was one of the very first giant flying boats. It was powered by 5 engines and fly for the first time in 1926. It should have been able to carry passengers on two decks and over long distances. The only example was lost in 1928 during tests. © Écomusée - Chantier de l'Atlantique 2528
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 08/09/2026I’m rather surprised to find that it, too, briefly bore the name ‘Rafale’, just like other Caudron aircraft before it. 1180
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Caudron C.690 was a trainer aircraft from 1936 to train fighter pilots in handling high-performance aircraft. Caudron tried to attract foreign sales, but this only resulted in orders for two C.690 one from Japan and one from the USSR. 15 were built for the French air force. 3314
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 07/09/2026The British aircraft carrier "Colossus" was leased to the French Navy in August 1946 for a period of five years, before being purchased outright. Renamed "Arromanches". This video shows French Naval Aviation Seafires practising RATO take-offs. © ECPAD 1342
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Concorde, in the 1970s, sporting the classic Air France livery. © ECPAD 14911
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Although seven were built, it was not a success in service as its wooden wings were too flexible. 0120
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 06/09/2026The Caudron “Typhon”, designed by Mr Otfinovsky and Mr Riffard, was a twin-engine aircraft intended for use on long-distance postal routes inspired by the British DH "Comet". It made its maiden flight in March 1935. The Typhon set speed records over a distance of 5,000 km. 1524
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 06/09/2026An Air France poster designed in 1962 by Guy Georget, depicting the airline’s routes to Great Britain. © Air France. 0335
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 06/09/2026France was never really interested by military gliders, except in 1946, when Fouga, learning from the use of assault gliders during WWII, developed the Fouga CM.10, a transport glider. Due to budgetary cuts, the project was abandoned. 0302
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Derived from the MS.755 "Fleuret", the Morane-Saulnier MS.760 "Paris" was a 4-person jet aircraft, mainly intended for liaison or light transport missions. After the first flight of the prototype in 1954, more than 150 were produced. © ECPAD 0343
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Sorry I haven’t been very active of late – I’ve been in the middle of moving house. To make it up to you, of course, here’s a Caravelle, the first prototype in 1955. 3684
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 26/08/2026It was a very attractive passenger aircraft capable of carrying 30 passengers and reaching a maximum speed of 575 km/h. Although built for Air France, the airline rejected the aircraft, deeming it too heavy; the SO.30Ps were mainly used by the french army. 080
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 26/08/2026The SO.30R in 1945. It was a development of the SO.30N ‘Belatrix’ prototype built in France during the WWI. The ‘R’ version was more powerful and fitted with a tricycle landing gear. It was ultimately the SO.30P version that went into production under the name ‘Bretagne’ © ECPAD 2264
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 23/08/2026A quick thought also for Les Ailes Anciennes, an organisation that restores rare aircraft such as the Breguet Deux Ponts, Mirage and Deltaviex… with some lovely volunteers. 130
Marlène Aviation @aviationmarlene.bsky.social · 23/08/2026I’ve just come back from the Aeroscopia museum in Toulouse to see the new exhibit, a splendid Airbus Beluga Super Transporter. A very impressive aircraft. 1497