Nord Noratlas
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2011) |
Noratlas | |
---|---|
A French Air Force Nord Noratlas in flight
| |
Role | Military Transport |
National origin | France |
Manufacturer | Nord Aviation |
First flight | 10 September 1949 |
Introduction | 6 December 1953 |
Retired | 1989 (France) |
Status | Retired |
Primary users | France Germany Greece Israel |
Produced | 1949-1961 |
Number built | 425 |
The Nord Noratlas was a dedicated military transport aircraft, developed and manufactured by French aircraft manufacturer Nord Aviation.
Development commenced during the late 1940s with the aim of producing a suitable aircraft to replace the numerous older types that were in service with the
Following its adoption by the Armée de l'Air, a number of other operators in both Europe and Africa chose to procure the Noratlas for their own military air services. Having found itself in a similar situation to France, the German Air Force of West Germany chose to adopt the same solution, procuring the type for their own purposes. The Israeli Air Force, the Hellenic Air Force, and the Portuguese Air Force all deployed the Noratlas under combat conditions. Furthermore, operators often found a wide variety of uses for the type, extensively adapting aircraft to suit secondary roles in some cases. The Noratlas was also adopted by a number of civil operators, although most aircraft were flown by military customers. As such, several hundred aircraft were produced during the Noratlas' production run, which lasted over a decade.
Development
Following the end of the
In light of these apparent shortcomings, during 1947, the
On 10 September 1949, the first prototype conducted its
Tragedy struck the development effort during 1952 when the first Nord 2501 prototype was lost in an accident during a test flight. On 9 January 1953, the Nord 2501 was baptized as the Noratlas by the widow of the pilot killed in the first prototype's crash. Despite the setback of the first prototype's loss, Nord continued the programme to schedule, fulfilling its initial contract for 34 aircraft by 25 June 1953, and the
Several different models were developed and were proposed, but ultimately were never built. Of those built, perhaps the most distinct was the civil-orientated 2502, which featured additional engines in the form of a pair of wing-tip mounted Turbomeca Marboré turbojets, giving it improved takeoff performance. The proposed 2506 was to have further built upon the 2502, having been intended to possess airbrakes, along with re-designed flaps and height-adjustable landing gear.[2] Following an eventual production run of some 425 planes, the final Noratlas was constructed during 1961. It was succeeded and eventually replaced by the multinational Transall C-160.[3]
Design
The Nord Noratlas was a purpose-built twin-engine,
The sizable cabin of the Noratlas was capable of accommodating up to 7.5 short tons (6.8 t) of freight or a maximum of 40 passengers; when flown at a cruising speed of 200 mph (320 km/h), it could transport a 6-ton payload over a range of up to 750 miles (1,210 km).[4] Cargo was typically loaded into and unloaded from the main cabin via the rear-facing clamshell doors, which were intentionally positioned close to ground level to ease freight handling.[1]
Operational history
French Air Force
During its service life with the Armée de l'Air, the Noratlas was initially predominantly operated in it cargo-carrying role; however, 10 had been fitted out, as ordered, to facilitate performing passenger operations as well. However, following the conclusion of
The Noratlas had been able to attain particular recognition and notoriety amongst the general public as a consequence of its use during the
German Air Force
During the post-war years, the newly formed nation of West Germany was faced with a similar situation to that which had prompted France to pursue development of the Noratlas. As such, the government decided to address the German Air Force's requirement for new transport aircraft in the same manner, eventually ordered a total of 187 Noratlases from 1956.[1] Of these, the first 25 aircraft were manufactured in France, while the other 161 Noratlases were manufactured by the West German-based Flugzeugbau Nord company under contract; such aircraft were designated as N-2501D. Of these aircraft, only 173 were delivered.[5] Flugzeugbau Nord had been involved in the Noratlas programme from an early stage, which was the company's first post-war aviation project, having been responsible for the design and manufacture of the majority of the aircraft's fuselage.[6]
According to author John P. Cann, if the Noratlas in German service had a weakness, it was that the fleet was furnished with four different sets of cockpit instrumentation and electronic systems as a result of its complex procurement arrangement.[7] The favourable experience with the Noratlas gave enthusiasm for further Franco-German collaborative efforts, leading directly to the larger and more advanced Transall C-160 transport aircraft.[8] As a result of the superior Transall becoming available, the German Air Force came to consider its Noratlas fleet to have been supplanted and rendered surplus to requirements. Accordingly, as early as 1964, the German Air Force began to offer individual Noratlases for resale; in this fashion, Germany became the primary source for the various smaller national operators that came to operate the type. Portugal was a major customer for the ex-German aircraft, purchasing many for their own military requirements.[9][1]
Israeli Air Force
During 1956, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) initially purchased three examples of the N-2501IS. However, this procurement had been made under duress—the French government would only allow Israel to purchase 12 of its Dassault Ouragan jet-powered fighters if the nation also acquired at least three Noratlases in the same deal. The Israelis were upset by the terms of the offer, however, at the time, France was one of only a few countries that were willing to sell modern armaments and combat platforms to Israel; eventually, the Israeli government agreed to France's terms. However, once in service, IAF personnel quickly came to realize the utility of the Noratlas following its performance during the Suez Crisis of 1956.[10]
During 1959, having been suitably impressed by its use under combat conditions, the IAF purchased another three N-2501ISs; prior to the
Hellenic Air Force
During 1970, the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) received 50 surplus Noratlases from Germany as part of a compensation package for events during the Second World War, as well as being an element of
Portuguese Air Force
The Portuguese Air Force operated a large number of Noratlases. During 1960, Portugal decided to purchase an initial batch of six militarized N-2502A (designated N-2502F) from French airline Union Aéromaritime de Transport (UAT). This purchase was quickly followed by other six of the same model, this time directly from Nord Aviation itself. Later on, an additional 19 N-2501Ds were purchased from the German Air Force.[8] Overall, multiple units of the Portuguese Air Force operated by the Noratlas, including Esquadra 32, based at Tancos Air Base, from 1970 to 1977, Esquadra 92, based at Luanda Air Base in Portuguese Angola, from 1961 to 1975, Esquadra 102, based at Beira Air Base in Mozambique, from 1962 to 1975, and Esquadra 123, based at Bissalanca Air Base in Portuguese Guinea, from 1969 to 1974.
Between 1961 and 1975, the Portuguese Air Force extensively operated their Noratlas fleet across all three of the African theatres of operations of the lengthy Portuguese Colonial War. In this lengthy conflict, the Noratlas was primarily used to conduct the intra-theatre tactical transportation missions, as well as to transport and deliver Portuguese paratroopers during airborne assault operations. Shortly following the independence of Angola and Mozambique in 1975, a batch of six ex-Portuguese Noratlas were given to the governments of these two new countries. By September 1977, all of the remaining Noratlases had been withdrawn from Portuguese service.
Civilian operations
By 1951, a civil-orientated version of the Noratlas, was under development and had received multiple orders from domestic and overseas customers. Known as the N-2502A/B, it was designed to be suitable for the transportation of both passenger and cargo payloads; the principal difference between the military models and the civil variant was the addition of a pair of small Turbomeca Marboré IIE turbojets, installed within the wingtips, for the purpose of improving the type's performance during the takeoff phase of flight only.[12] The personnel doors normally used by paratroopers were also eliminated as it was seen as lacking value to the prospective civil customers it was aimed at.[13]
The 2502 was used primarily by civil operators such as
Variants
- N2500
- Prototype powered by a pair of Gnome et Rhône 14R 1600-hp engines, one built.
- N2501
- Production version for the SNECMA-manufactured Hercules739 radial piston engines with 2,068 PS each (1521 kW), five prototypes and 208 production aircraft built.
- Nord 2501A
- Civil transport version for UTA, fitted with two 1,650-hp (1230-kW) SNECMA 758/759 Hercules radial piston engines, four built later converted to N2502.
- Nord 2501D
- Production version for the German Air Force, replaced some systems components of the N2501 with their equivalent from German manufacturers, 186 built (25 French built and 161 German built).
- Nord 2501E
- The redesignation of one standard Nord 2501 for flight testing, the aircraft was used to test two Turbomeca Marbore II auxiliary turbojet engines.
- Nord 2501IS
- Replaced some systems components of the N-2501, 6 produced, purchased by the Israeli Air Force.
- N-2501 Gabriel
- electronic warfareplatforms, 8 produced, probably modified N-2501s; operated by the Armée de l'Air.
- Nord 2501TC
- Nord 2501 modified for civil use by Transvalair, 3 produced.
- Nord 2501
- Civil transport version for Turbomeca Marbore IIauxiliary turbojet engines.
- Nord 2502A
- Civil transport version for Marboré II auxiliary turbojets and two 1650-hp Bristol Hercules758/759 radial engines. Five built and two conversions from N2501A.
- Nord 2502B
- Civilian cargo transport version for Marboré II auxiliary turbojets and two 1650-hp Bristol Hercules758/759 radial engines. 2 conversions from N2501A and one built.
- Nord 2502C
- Civilian cargo transport version, similar to Nord 2502A/B. Intended for purchase by an Indian airline, only one prototype was built.
- Nord 2502F
- Militarized version of the Nord 2502 for Portuguese Air Force, 6 conversions.
- Nord 2503
- Re-engined version with two 2,500 hp (1,900 kW)
- Nord 2504
- Modification of the Nord 2502 intended for
- Nord 2505
- Modified Nord 2502 intended for antisubmarine warfare, cancelled not built.[14]
- Nord 2506
- Special modification of Nord 2502 to improve STOL performance and performance under heavy load for use as an assault transport, one conversion and one built from new.[14]
- Nord 2507
- Modified Nord 2502 intended for search and rescue role, with 12-hour endurance or greater, never passed the planning stage.[14]
- Nord 2508
- Modified Nord 2503, powered by two 1864-kW (2,500-hp) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB17 radial piston engines and two Turbomeca Marboré IIE auxiliary turbojets added; highly capable, but none were ordered; the prototypes were sold to Germany, one conversion and one built.
- Nord 2508B
- Cargo transport version of the N.2508.
- Nord 2509
- Unbuilt version. Not built.
- Nord 2510
- Unbuilt anti-submarine warfare version. Not built.
- Nord 2520
- Enlarged Nord 2502 with better cargo capacity, never passed the planning stage.
Operators
This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2022) |
Military operators
- French Air Force
- Niger Air Force[18]
- Ugandan Air Force
Civilian operators
- Aero Taxis Ecuatorianos - operated six ex-Luftwaffe Nord 2501Ds.[20]
Surviving aircraft
Cyprus
- 52-128 (painted as 52-133) - 2501D on display at the Makedonitissa Tomb, the place where a similar aircraft crashed killing nearly all on board during the Turkish invasion of 1974.[21][22]
France
- 105 - 2501F-3 preserved in flying condition by L'association Le Noratlas de Provence, based at Marseille Provence Airport. Carries civil registration F-AZVM.[23]
- 184 - 2501F on display at L'Epopée de l'Industrie et de l'Aéronautique in Albert, Somme.[24]
- 146 - 2501 on display at Ecole des metiers de l'automobile, at Viuz-en-sallaz Homepage
Germany
- 52+37 - 2501D in dilapidated state, formerly used as a pub (now defunct) at Schwelm.[25]
- 99+14 - 2501D on display at the Militärhistorisches Museum Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow in Berlin.[26]
- 154 - 2501F on display at Technik Museum Speyer in Speyer.[27]
- D-ACUT - 2501D on display at Flugausstellung Hermeskeil in Hermeskeil.[28]
- D-NORA - 2501F on display at Hamburg Finkenwerder Airport.[29]
Israel
- 055 - 2501D preserved at the Israeli Air Force Museum in Hatzerim Airbase.[30]
- 072 / 4X-FAW - 2501D preserved as a memorial at Defenders Park, Nahshon Junction near Beko'a.[31]
- 4X-FAE - 2501D on display at the Israeli Air Force Museum in Hatzerim Airbase.[32]
Portugal
- 6403 - 2502A on display at the Museu do Ar in Sintra.[33]
Specifications (Nord 2501)
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59 [34]
General characteristics
- Crew: 4-5
- Capacity: 45 soldiers, 36 paratroopers, 18 patients with medics, or 8,458 kg (18,647 lb) cargo
- Length: 21.962 m (72 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 32.5 m (106 ft 8 in)
- Height: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 101.2 m2 (1,089 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 10.5
- Empty weight: 13,075 kg (28,825 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 20,603 kg (45,422 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 5,090 L (1,344.6 US gal; 1,119.6 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 2 × sleeve-valveradial piston engines, 1,558 kW (2,089 hp) each without torquemeters
- Hercules 739 with torquemeters
- Hercules 758 / 759 with reversible-pitch propellers
- Propellers: 4-bladed constant-speed fully-feathering non-reversible propellers (Hercules 738 / 739)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 440 km/h (270 mph, 240 kn) at 21,000 kg (46,297 lb) AUW
- 405 km/h (252 mph; 219 kn) fully loaded
- Cruise speed: 324 km/h (201 mph, 175 kn) at 1,500 m (4,900 ft)
- 335 km/h (208 mph; 181 kn) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
- Range: 2,500 km (1,600 mi, 1,300 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 7,500 m (24,600 ft)
- Rate of climb: 6.25 m/s (1,230 ft/min) at sea level
- 4.75 m/s (935 ft/min) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
- 1 m/s (200 ft/min) at 1,500 m (4,900 ft)
- Wing loading: 207.5 kg/m2 (42.5 lb/sq ft)
- Take-off run: 660 m (2,170 ft)
- Take-off distance to 15 m (49 ft): 820 m (2,690 ft)
- Landing run: 420 m (1,380 ft) with reverse pitch
- Landing distance from 15 m (49 ft): 790 m (2,590 ft)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g Cann 2015, p. 134.
- ^ a b "Commercial aircraft of the world." Flight International, 28 November 1963. p. 892.
- ^ Wilson, Michael. "Transall C-160." Flight International, 25 April 1968. p. 614.
- ^ "Transport Aircraft, 1955." Flight International, 11 March 1955. p. 331.
- ^ Jackson 1974, p. 98.
- ^ "Hamburger Flugzeugbau." Flight International, 19 October 1961. pp. 619-620.
- ^ Cann 2015, p. 135.
- ^ a b Lopes 2014, p. 81.
- ^ Lopes 2014, pp. 81-82.
- ^ Norton 2004, p. 163.
- ^ "Cypriot officials say they may have found Greek aircraft shot down in 1974." The Guardian, 6 August 2015.
- ^ "Commercial aircraft of the world." Flight International, 26 November 1964. p. 934.
- ^ Cann 2015, pp. 134-135.
- ^ a b c d e Chillon, Dubois & Wegg 1980, p. 111
- ^ Bridgman 1957, p. 160
- ^ Bridgman 1958, p. 162
- ^ Fontanellaz, Cooper & Matos 2020, pp. 10–13
- ^ Delalande, Arnaud (15 March 2018). "Niger's desert warriors". Key Aero.
- ^ Fontanellaz, Cooper & Matos 2020, pp. 10–12
- ^ Hayes 2008, pp. 150–152
- ^ "Cypriot officials say they may have found Greek aircraft shot down in 1974". The Guardian. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
- ^ "52-133 - Hellanic Air Force - Nord 2501D Noratlas - Makedonitissa Tomb, Nicosia". Flickr. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
- ^ "L'Historique du 105". Le Nortales de Provence. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "Aviation Photo #5028609: Nord 2501F Noratlas - France - Air Force". Airliners.net.
- ^ "5237 Nord 2501D Noratlas - Germany - Air Force". Airliners. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "9914 Nord 2501D Noratlas - Germany - Air Force". Airliners. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "154 Nord 2501F Noratlas - France - Air Force". Airliners. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "D-ACUT Nord 2501D Noratlas - Untitled". Airliners. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "D-NORA Nord 2501F Noratlas - Untitled". Airliners. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "055 - Nord 2501D Noratlas - Israel - Air Force". JetPhotos. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ "Code Number: 4X-FAW". ABPic. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ "4X-FAE Nord 2501D Noratlas - Israel - Air Force". Airliners. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "6403 Nord 2502A Noratlas - Portugal - Air Force". Airliners. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ Bridgman 1958, pp. 161–163
Bibliography
- Bridgman, Leonard. (ed). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1957-58. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd., 1957.
- Bridgman, Leonard. (ed). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59. London: Jane's All the World's Aircraft Publishing Co. Ltd., 1958.
- Cann, John P. Flight Plan Africa: Portuguese Airpower in Counterinsurgency, 1961-1974. Helion and Company, 2015. ISBN 1-909982-06-7
- Chillon, Jacques; Dubois, Jean-Pierre & Wegg, John (1980). French Post-War Transport Aircraft. Tonbridge, UK: Air-Britain. ISBN 0-85130-078-2.
- Fontanellaz, Adrien; Cooper, Tom; Matos, Jose Augusto (2020). War of Intervention in Angola, Volume 3: Angolan and Cuban Air Forces, 1975-1985. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. ISBN 978-1-913118-61-7.
- Green, William. Macdonald Aircraft Handbook. London, UK. Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1964.
- Hayes, Karl. "The Last Luftwaffe Noratlas". Air-Britain Aeromilitaria, Winter 2008, Vol. 34, Issue 136. pp. 147–152. ISSN 0262-8791.
- Jackson, Paul A. German Military Aviation 1956-1976. Hinckley, Leicestershire, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1976. ISBN 0-904597-03-2
- Lopes, Rui. West Germany and the Portuguese Dictatorship, 1968–1974. Springer, 2014. ISBN 1-137402-08-3
- Norton, Bill. Air War on the Edge: A History of the Israeli Air Force and Its Aircraft Since 1947. Midland, 2004. ISBN 1-857800-88-5
Further reading
- Cuny, Jean (1989). Les avions de combat français, 2: Chasse lourde, bombardement, assaut, exploration [French Combat Aircraft 2: Heavy Fighters, Bombers, Attack, Reconnaissance]. Docavia (in French). Vol. 30. Ed. Larivière. OCLC 36836833.