Breguet 763

[britfrog 180]

The French did make some weird a/c at times, mind you I suppose we did as well, look at anything that Blackburn made, especially the whistling wheelbarrow

however this one was called the deux ponts (two decks) and was used to transport people and/or freight to the French colonies. it was meant to replace the c54 !! if both decks were used for passengers it could carry 107 passengers or 130soldiers  which for the era was pretty good, its climbing ability ,or lack of, was legendary. Some of their pilots maintained that the only reason they took off was because of the curvature of the earth.

they were replaced by the comet and caravelle so all 12 were sold to the airforce where some were sent to Tahiti the rest remained in France and were used until 1971 when they were replaced by the Transall (a 2 engined hercules)

Be that as it may, utility wise, it was similar to the bristol 170 but could carry more people and freight, sort of puts the 747 combi in a different light

 

enjoy the video

 

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x74gzu_le-breguet-deux-ponts_travel

[jaydor 345]

As the Germans would say "Ver interestink"  Quite a innovation for it's time..

[hifly 925]

Thanks for the link Nigel. What a bus, by the time it took off it must have been at its destination. Checked out some of the other vids there. Wish someone would make a decent Caravelle.

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

They were lovely old aircraft, built like a barn door. somewhat ungainly on the ground they were rather more elegent in the air. I used to see lots of these in

the 1960s when they came into Heathrow. They are also available as FS models both the Civil and Military variants. well worth finding as they are freeware models.

 

[Corsaire31 419]

There is one being restored here in Toulouse, I'll try to make some pics next time I go to Blagnac.

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

There is one being restored here in Toulouse, I'll try to make some pics next time I go to Blagnac.

I look forward to seeing them, These aircraft are so often overlooked on the propliner scene, everyone forgets the France built some fantastic aircraft. She still does, and suddenly Boeing etc are getting worried!