From the "obscura" files today: S.N.C.A.C. NC-420

Michel Lemieux · **Posted:** Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:23 am

From the "obscura" files today: S.N.C.A.C. NC-420

Man do I love the internet.

Translated on the fly.....the seaplane that never flew. Was prevented to fly by the Germans during the occupancy due to the recent thef of another French bird.

It was disassembled and never flew :!:

In Russian: http://www.airwar.ru/enc/flyboat/nc420.html

In French: http://www.aviafrance.com/9496.htm

And in pictures...sorry, did not find an English page :wink:

Shay · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:47 am

Just when you think you've seen it all.

That's awesome. I'm a fan of oddball aircraft and even more so flying boats. Is it possible that this aircraft still exists? Would be great to get a closer look at it. I wonder what the purpose for the offset canopy is, gun station?

Thanks

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

RickH · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:56 am

I think the Germans prevented it from flying because it was just too darn UGLY !

JDK · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:58 am

That's not rare!

OK, OK, just kidding....

Shay wrote:

That's awesome. I'm a fan of oddball aircraft and even more so flying boats. Is it possible that this aircraft still exists?

No.

Quote:

I wonder what the purpose for the offset canopy is, gun station?

I'm guessing here, but it might be the pilot's cockpit, these aircraft being designed for observation, and the bay window in the front being for the observer, not the 'driver, airframe'.

Just a guess though.

Michel Lemieux · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:34 am

Good guess James.

I do not think it would be for a gun position......the arc & angles available to the gunner would not make any sense at all.

JDK · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:39 am

Have a look at the Loire 130 as a type undertaking a similar role.

If I read the details correctly, the pilot sits up under the engine, on the port side, the observer in the nose in what one (incorrectly) assumes is the cockpit.

http://www.hyperscale.com/2007/gallerie ... ured_1.htm

In the Great War the German Navy employed pilots as junior officers - chauffeurs, essentially - to the senior, aircraft commanding observer who was the point of the exercise - seeing over the hill. Someone gave a pilot some status, and it's been downhill ever since.

Michel Lemieux · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:57 am

Quote:

the pilot sits up under the engine, on the port side

Wow....nice field of view for the pilot.......well can't be as bad as the Spirit of St-Louis..right :wink:

BTW, James, ever saw that Morton bird / proto / mock-up I posted ? I cannot find a lot of data & info on it.

Michel

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From the "obscura" files today: S.N.C.A.C. NC-420

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