SNCAO 700

The SNCAO CAO.700 was a French prototype four-engined bomber of all-metal construction, developed shortly prior to and during the Second World War. Only a single example had been completed and flown when the surrender of France in June 1940 ended development of the aircraft.

Design and development

In 1937 the French Service Technique de l'Aeronautique (or Air Ministry) launched a specification to develop a four engined strategic bomber.

Operational history

The prototype flew for the first time on 24 June 1940, but further testing was cancelled due to the French surrender to Germany. Power was provided by four Gnome-Rhône 14N radial engines.^[1]

Specifications

Data from World War II Airplanes Volume 1^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 5
• Length: 18.97 m (62 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 16.50 m (54 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 88.15 m² (948.8 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 11,390 kg (25,111 lb)
• Gross weight: 8,196 kg (18,070 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Gnome-Rhône 14N-48 fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 850 kW (1,140 hp) each LH rotation
• Powerplant: 2 × Gnome-Rhône 14N-49 fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 850 kW (1,140 hp) each Rh rotation
• Propellers: 3-bladed variable pitch propellers

Performance

• Maximum speed: 547 km/h; 295 kn (340 mph) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
• Cruising speed: 320 km/h (199 mph; 173 kn)

References

Further reading

• Jackson, Robert (2004). The Encyclopedia of Aircraft. Silverdale Books. ISBN 1-85605-887-5. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to SNCAO.

• Aviafrance CAO-700