Sunday, March 13, 2011

Lioré et Olivier LeO H-46

This float-plane bomber intended for the French Navy was flown for the first time in May 1936 with test pilot Lucien Bourdin at the controls.
The prototype was powered by two 870 hp Gnome & Rhône 14 Knrs double-row 14-cylinder radial engines, the production version was to be fitted with 1,000 hp engines.
However, a major mishap took place at l’Etang de Vaine, near Marseille in 1938, and the aircraft was severely damaged. Costly time-consuming repairs and a change of priorities and policies led to the abandonment of this naval bomber.
Photo and Info: 1000aircraftphotos.com (Niko Braas collection)
Color images: WW2 Drawings

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