The SNCAC NC.150 (also known as the Centre NC.150) was a prototype French high-altitude bomber aircraft designed and flown just prior to the start of the Second World War. It was a twin-engined monoplane, with a third engine driving a supercharger. Although testing was promising, and orders were planned for a modified version as a back-up for the Lioré et Olivier LeO 45 and Amiot 354 bombers, the surrender of France in June 1940 ended development with only the single example being built.
When the nationalisation of the French aircraft industry resulted in the creation of the Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Centre (SNCAC) from the merger of Farman Aviation Works and Hanriot in 1936, the new company inherited Farman's experience in high-altitude research, and this research continued. In 1937, it proposed a pressurised transatlantic mailplane derivative of the Farman F.223.3 bomber, this being developed into the unpressurised NC.223.4 transport, of which three were built for Air France.[1]
SNCAC continued work on high-altitude aircraft, proposing two pressurised bombers in 1938. The first, the NC.140, was a four-engined bomber using the wings of the Farman F.223.3 but was quickly abandoned in favour of the smaller, twin-engined NC.150.[2][3] The NC.150 was a mid-winged monoplane with a retractable tailwheel undercarriage which was designed to make maximum use of non-strategic materials such as wood. The wings were of mixed construction, with a metal centre-section, and wood outer wings that had metal spars, wooden ribs and plywood skinning. Similarly, the fuselage had wooden forward and aft fuselage section connecting to the metal centre section, while the twin tail was of wooden construction with plywood skinning. It was to be powered by two Hispano-Suiza 12YV12 engines, with power being maintained at high altitudes by using a single three-stage supercharger driven by a separate Hispano-Suiza 12X engine mounted in the fuselage.[4]
SNCAC began work on two prototypes as a private venture in 1938. These two prototypes were not to be fitted with cabin pressurisation, although this was planned for a third prototype.[5] The French Air Ministry placed an order for the two prototypes on 24 April 1939, with the second aircraft to carry full armament.[6] The first prototype, designated NC.150.01, made its maiden flight from Toussus-le-Noble on 11 May 1939.[5] Meanwhile, the French Air Ministry had become worried about possible delays to the Lioré et Olivier LeO 45 and Amiot 354 twin-engined bombers which were planned to re-equip the medium bomber squadrons of the Armée de l'Air caused by shortages of light alloys, and after successful testing in early 1940, ordered a change of plans. Pressurisation was to be abandoned, and the unusual central supercharger with its dedicated engine (known as the "bi-tri" concept) was to be replaced by individually supercharged engines. Two production versions were planned, the NC.152, powered by Hispano-Suiza engines, and the NC.153, with imported American radial engines.[3][7]
Development was stopped, however, by France's surrender to Germany in June 1940, both the second and third prototypes being abandoned before completion.[8]
Variantsedit
NC.150.01
First prototype. Not fitted with pressurisation and unarmed.
NC.150.02
Second prototype. Unpressurised but to be fitted with full armament. Not completed.[9]
NC.151.03
Third prototype, representing original bomber design, with pressure cabin and full armament. Not completed.[8]
NC.152
Planned production version powered by two supercharged Hispano-Suiza 12Y engines.[8]
NC.153
Planned production version powered by two supercharged 1,850 hp (1,380 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800 S1A4-G Double Wasp radial engines.[8]
Specifications (NC.150 - armament planned for 150.02)edit
Data from War Planes of the Second World War:Volume Seven Bombers and Reconnaissance Aircraft[8]
^"S.N.C.A.C. NC.150". Aviafrance. Retrieved 5 September 2010. (In French)
Referencesedit
Breffort, Dominique and André Jouineau. French Aircraft 1939–1942: Fighters, Bombers, Reconnaissance and Observation types: Volume 2: From Dewoitine to Potez. Paris: Histoire & Collections, 2005. ISBN2-915239-49-5
Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War: Volume Seven: Bombers and Reconnaissance Aircraft. London: Macdonald, 1967
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to SNCAC NC 150.
SNCAC NC.150. (Russian)
April 27, 2024
sncac, also, known, centre, prototype, french, high, altitude, bomber, aircraft, designed, flown, just, prior, start, second, world, twin, engined, monoplane, with, third, engine, driving, supercharger, although, testing, promising, orders, were, planned, modi. The SNCAC NC 150 also known as the Centre NC 150 was a prototype French high altitude bomber aircraft designed and flown just prior to the start of the Second World War It was a twin engined monoplane with a third engine driving a supercharger Although testing was promising and orders were planned for a modified version as a back up for the Liore et Olivier LeO 45 and Amiot 354 bombers the surrender of France in June 1940 ended development with only the single example being built NC 150 Role High altitude bomber National origin France Manufacturer SNCAC First flight 11 May 1939 Number built 1 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Variants 3 Specifications NC 150 armament planned for 150 02 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 7 External linksDesign and development editWhen the nationalisation of the French aircraft industry resulted in the creation of the Societe Nationale de Constructions Aeronautiques du Centre SNCAC from the merger of Farman Aviation Works and Hanriot in 1936 the new company inherited Farman s experience in high altitude research and this research continued In 1937 it proposed a pressurised transatlantic mailplane derivative of the Farman F 223 3 bomber this being developed into the unpressurised NC 223 4 transport of which three were built for Air France 1 SNCAC continued work on high altitude aircraft proposing two pressurised bombers in 1938 The first the NC 140 was a four engined bomber using the wings of the Farman F 223 3 but was quickly abandoned in favour of the smaller twin engined NC 150 2 3 The NC 150 was a mid winged monoplane with a retractable tailwheel undercarriage which was designed to make maximum use of non strategic materials such as wood The wings were of mixed construction with a metal centre section and wood outer wings that had metal spars wooden ribs and plywood skinning Similarly the fuselage had wooden forward and aft fuselage section connecting to the metal centre section while the twin tail was of wooden construction with plywood skinning It was to be powered by two Hispano Suiza 12Y V12 engines with power being maintained at high altitudes by using a single three stage supercharger driven by a separate Hispano Suiza 12X engine mounted in the fuselage 4 SNCAC began work on two prototypes as a private venture in 1938 These two prototypes were not to be fitted with cabin pressurisation although this was planned for a third prototype 5 The French Air Ministry placed an order for the two prototypes on 24 April 1939 with the second aircraft to carry full armament 6 The first prototype designated NC 150 01 made its maiden flight from Toussus le Noble on 11 May 1939 5 Meanwhile the French Air Ministry had become worried about possible delays to the Liore et Olivier LeO 45 and Amiot 354 twin engined bombers which were planned to re equip the medium bomber squadrons of the Armee de l Air caused by shortages of light alloys and after successful testing in early 1940 ordered a change of plans Pressurisation was to be abandoned and the unusual central supercharger with its dedicated engine known as the bi tri concept was to be replaced by individually supercharged engines Two production versions were planned the NC 152 powered by Hispano Suiza engines and the NC 153 with imported American radial engines 3 7 Development was stopped however by France s surrender to Germany in June 1940 both the second and third prototypes being abandoned before completion 8 Variants editNC 150 01 First prototype Not fitted with pressurisation and unarmed NC 150 02 Second prototype Unpressurised but to be fitted with full armament Not completed 9 NC 151 03 Third prototype representing original bomber design with pressure cabin and full armament Not completed 8 NC 152 Planned production version powered by two supercharged Hispano Suiza 12Y engines 8 NC 153 Planned production version powered by two supercharged 1 850 hp 1 380 kW Pratt amp Whitney R 2800 S1A4 G Double Wasp radial engines 8 Specifications NC 150 armament planned for 150 02 editData from War Planes of the Second World War Volume Seven Bombers and Reconnaissance Aircraft 8 General characteristicsCrew Four Length 17 60 m 57 ft 9 in Wingspan 21 882 m 71 ft 9 5 in Height 4 19 m 13 ft 9 in 10 Wing area 61 10 m2 657 7 sq ft Empty weight 7 733 kg 17 048 lb Gross weight 10 077 kg 22 216 lb Powerplant 2 Hispano Suiza 12Y 32 33 liquid cooled V12 engines 720 kW 960 hp each Powerplant 1 Hispano Suiza 12Xirs liquid cooled V12 engine driving NC C2 supercharger 510 kW 690 hp Performance Maximum speed 600 km h 373 mph 324 kn at 8 000 m 26 250 ft Cruise speed 510 km h 317 mph 275 kn at 8 000 m 26 250 ft long range cruise Range 2 200 km 1 367 mi 1 188 nmi Service ceiling 11 380 m 37 350 ft Time to altitude 19 min 7 s to 8 000 m 26 250 ft Armament Guns 1 20 mm Hispano Suiza HS 404 cannon in power operated dorsal mounting 1 7 5 mm MAC 1934 machine gun in nose 1 machine gun in ventral mounting Bombs 1 200 kg 2 650 lb bombsSee also editAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Liore et Olivier LeO 45 Amiot 354 Petlyakov Pe 8 originally planned with similar central engine driven superchargerNotes edit Green 1967 pp 151 152 Green 1967 p 152 a b Breffort and Jouineau 2005 p 79 Green 1967 pp 153 154 a b Green 1967 p 153 Green 1967 p 155 Green 1967 pp 154 156 a b c d e Green 1967 p 156 Green 1967 pp 155 156 S N C A C NC 150 Aviafrance Retrieved 5 September 2010 In French References editBreffort Dominique and Andre Jouineau French Aircraft 1939 1942 Fighters Bombers Reconnaissance and Observation types Volume 2 From Dewoitine to Potez Paris Histoire amp Collections 2005 ISBN 2 915239 49 5 Green William War Planes of the Second World War Volume Seven Bombers and Reconnaissance Aircraft London Macdonald 1967External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to SNCAC NC 150 SNCAC NC 150 Russian Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title SNCAC NC 150 amp oldid 1001186559, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
