Breguet Deux-Ponts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breguet_Deux-Ponts

The Breguet 761/763/765 are a family of 1940s and 1950s French double-deck
transport aircraft produced by Breguet Aviation. The aircraft were normally
called the Deux-Ponts (Double-Decker) but it was not an official name.

The 761 featured a cantilever wing set at mid-height on the bulky fuselage. The
retractable tricycle landing gear featured dual-wheel main units. The empennage
had twin fins and rudders on a vestigial central fin. The prototype was powered
by four 1,580 hp (1180 kW) SNECMA 14R-24 radial engines. The Breguets serving
with Air France had up to 107 seats and an elevator between the two floors.

The prototype was followed by three Br.761S pre-production aircraft powered by
2,020 hp (1506 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-B31 radial engines. These were fitted
with 12 ft 1½in (3.70 m) diameter Hamilton Standard propellers. The aircraft
successfully completed their trials incident-free. Their first flights were in
1951 and 1952.

The French Government ordered 12 production aircraft, the Breguet 76-3, which
was later redesignated Br.763. Six aircraft were to be operated by Air France
and the other six by the Ministry of Transport. The 763 had more powerful
engines, a 1.20 metres (3 ft 11 in) larger wingspan, strengthened wings and a
three-crew flight deck (earlier aircraft had four crew). The 763 first flew on
20 July 1951 and entered service with Air France during autumn 1952.

The Air France aircraft had accommodation for 59 passengers on the top deck, and
48 on the lower deck, although the aircraft was capable of carrying 135
passengers in a high-density layout. During 1964 Air France transferred six
Br.763s to the French Air Force. The air force also acquired the three
pre-production Br.761S aircraft and four new Br.765 Sahara freighter aircraft
with removable cargo doors.


Role
Airliner and freighter

Manufacturer
Breguet Aviation

First flight
15 February 1949

Introduction
10 March 1953

Retired
31 March 1971

Primary users
Air France
French Air Force

Number built
20

The prototype Br.761 entered service with Air Algérie in 1952 as a cargo
aircraft. It was withdrawn early the next year. Silver City Airways leased a
Br.761 for three months in the summer of 1953 for use on the Hamburg - Berlin
route. A total of 127 round trips carried 4,000,000 pounds (1,800 t) of freight
with up to three round trips being made in a day, each leg taking 52 minutes
flight time. It was rumoured that Silver City would purchase three aircraft at
£770,000 but this did not materialise into a sale.

The Breguet Br.763 Provence entered service with Air France on 10 March 1953.
The inaugural route was Lyon - Algiers. The type was used on European routes
from Paris, mainly to the Mediterranean area, but occasionally to London.
Domestic routes included Paris to Lyon, Marseille and Nice.

Six aircraft were used in response to a serious incident at Salat, Algeria where
French oil rig engineers were in need of assistance. A total of 60 tonnes of
heavy equipment and 200 personnel were moved to and from Algiers in four days.

The introduction of the Sud Aviation Caravelle rendered the Provence obsolete as
a passenger aircraft. The Caravelle was faster, more comfortable and had a
greater range.

In October 1955 an order for 30 Breguet Br.765 Sahara aircraft for the Armée de
l'Air was announced. This order was cancelled by the end of the year, but
construction on four aircraft was so far advanced that they were completed.
These entered service with 64 Escadre de Transport.

The French Air Force acquired the three pre-production Br.761S aircraft, these
and the six Sahara aircraft acquired from Air France provided the French Air
Force with a valuable transport fleet for moving personnel and materials to the
Pacific nuclear testing areas. The Sahara fleet was retired in 1972.

Specifications (Br.763)

General characteristics
Crew: three
Capacity: 107 passengers
Length: 28.94 m (94 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 42.96 m (140 ft 11 in)
Height: 9.56 m (31 ft 4 in)
Wing area: 185.4 m² (1,996 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 9.95:1
Empty weight: 32,535 kg (71,577 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 50,000 kg (111,000 lb)
Powerplant: 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CA18 radial piston, 2,400 hp (1790 kW)
each

Performance
Maximum speed: 390 km/h (210 knots, 242 mph) at 3,000 m (10,000 ft) (max cruise)
Cruise speed: 336 km/h (183 knots, 210 mph) (econ cruise)
Range: 2,290 km (1,243 nmi, 1,430 mi)
Rate of climb: 5.8 m/s (1,140 ft/min) at sea level




*