Marlène Aviation
@aviationmarlene.bsky.social
I talk about the french aviation history, aircraft, projects, and flying machines designed in France.
SE-210 "Caravelle" lover
A scientific mediator in the space industry
SE-210 "Caravelle" lover
A scientific mediator in the space industry
The Latécoère 28 or Laté 28 was a mail plane made famous by its use in the Aéropostale service. Fifty were built, and it entered service in 1930.
The floatplane version, the ‘28.3’, was the first to make a commercial crossing of the South Atlantic in May 1930.
© Romain HUGAULT
The floatplane version, the ‘28.3’, was the first to make a commercial crossing of the South Atlantic in May 1930.
© Romain HUGAULT
January 29, 2026 at 10:46 AM
The Latécoère 28 or Laté 28 was a mail plane made famous by its use in the Aéropostale service. Fifty were built, and it entered service in 1930.
The floatplane version, the ‘28.3’, was the first to make a commercial crossing of the South Atlantic in May 1930.
© Romain HUGAULT
The floatplane version, the ‘28.3’, was the first to make a commercial crossing of the South Atlantic in May 1930.
© Romain HUGAULT
Potez 453 was a prototype fighter seaplane intended to be catapulted from ships.
Potez chose to convert his Potez 452 observation aircraft.
The prototype took to the air in 1935. Its performance was fairly good, but the position of its engine caused a strong nose-down torque.
© Vincent Bourguignon
Potez chose to convert his Potez 452 observation aircraft.
The prototype took to the air in 1935. Its performance was fairly good, but the position of its engine caused a strong nose-down torque.
© Vincent Bourguignon
January 29, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Potez 453 was a prototype fighter seaplane intended to be catapulted from ships.
Potez chose to convert his Potez 452 observation aircraft.
The prototype took to the air in 1935. Its performance was fairly good, but the position of its engine caused a strong nose-down torque.
© Vincent Bourguignon
Potez chose to convert his Potez 452 observation aircraft.
The prototype took to the air in 1935. Its performance was fairly good, but the position of its engine caused a strong nose-down torque.
© Vincent Bourguignon
The Fouga CM-175 "Zéphyr" was a variant of the Fouga CM-170 "Magister" adapted for use on aircraft carriers. It served in the French naval air arm from 1959 to 1994.
January 29, 2026 at 9:21 AM
The Fouga CM-175 "Zéphyr" was a variant of the Fouga CM-170 "Magister" adapted for use on aircraft carriers. It served in the French naval air arm from 1959 to 1994.
The C.22 was a target drone designed and built in France by Aérospatiale in 1980.
It was a subsonic drone capable of flying for over two hours. It was launched using two solid-fuel rockets from a ramp and recovered using a parachute. It was last used in 2014.
It was a subsonic drone capable of flying for over two hours. It was launched using two solid-fuel rockets from a ramp and recovered using a parachute. It was last used in 2014.
January 26, 2026 at 11:37 AM
The C.22 was a target drone designed and built in France by Aérospatiale in 1980.
It was a subsonic drone capable of flying for over two hours. It was launched using two solid-fuel rockets from a ramp and recovered using a parachute. It was last used in 2014.
It was a subsonic drone capable of flying for over two hours. It was launched using two solid-fuel rockets from a ramp and recovered using a parachute. It was last used in 2014.
The Potez 42 was a light air ambulance developed by Potez in 1930. It took part in a competition organised by the French Ministry of Air to select the best specialised air ambulance, but was beaten by the Bloch MB.80 light air ambulance.
January 26, 2026 at 11:26 AM
The Potez 42 was a light air ambulance developed by Potez in 1930. It took part in a competition organised by the French Ministry of Air to select the best specialised air ambulance, but was beaten by the Bloch MB.80 light air ambulance.
1980, The Microturbo "Microjet 200" was a French two-seater aircraft equipped with two low-power Microturbo engines. It was designed for pilot training, and was to be characterised by very low purchase and operating costs.
January 25, 2026 at 1:50 PM
1980, The Microturbo "Microjet 200" was a French two-seater aircraft equipped with two low-power Microturbo engines. It was designed for pilot training, and was to be characterised by very low purchase and operating costs.
The largest of the Mirage series, the most beautiful of the bombers, the "Mirage IV".
Here taking off from Mont-de-Marsan in 1998. The Mirage IV is equipped here with 12 solid-propellant rockets.
© Rob Schleiffert
Here taking off from Mont-de-Marsan in 1998. The Mirage IV is equipped here with 12 solid-propellant rockets.
© Rob Schleiffert
January 24, 2026 at 8:02 PM
The largest of the Mirage series, the most beautiful of the bombers, the "Mirage IV".
Here taking off from Mont-de-Marsan in 1998. The Mirage IV is equipped here with 12 solid-propellant rockets.
© Rob Schleiffert
Here taking off from Mont-de-Marsan in 1998. The Mirage IV is equipped here with 12 solid-propellant rockets.
© Rob Schleiffert
In-flight refuelling test of a Mirage IV by a Vautour II. A modification and testing campaign took place in 1961 to increase the range of the supersonic strategic bomber.
January 24, 2026 at 7:40 PM
In-flight refuelling test of a Mirage IV by a Vautour II. A modification and testing campaign took place in 1961 to increase the range of the supersonic strategic bomber.
The Blériot VI ‘Libellule’ (Dragonfly) was one of the first aeroplanes built by Louis Blériot in 1907.
A monoplane with tandem wings, Blériot successfully completed several flights aboard it, covering distances of 140 metres at an altitude of 12 metres. It was quickly destroyed.
A monoplane with tandem wings, Blériot successfully completed several flights aboard it, covering distances of 140 metres at an altitude of 12 metres. It was quickly destroyed.
January 22, 2026 at 2:41 PM
The Blériot VI ‘Libellule’ (Dragonfly) was one of the first aeroplanes built by Louis Blériot in 1907.
A monoplane with tandem wings, Blériot successfully completed several flights aboard it, covering distances of 140 metres at an altitude of 12 metres. It was quickly destroyed.
A monoplane with tandem wings, Blériot successfully completed several flights aboard it, covering distances of 140 metres at an altitude of 12 metres. It was quickly destroyed.
I may say it too often, but isn't it a magnificent bird?
Here is the first prototype from around 1955/1956 in the colours of the manufacturer, Sud Aviation.
Here is the first prototype from around 1955/1956 in the colours of the manufacturer, Sud Aviation.
January 22, 2026 at 2:23 PM
I may say it too often, but isn't it a magnificent bird?
Here is the first prototype from around 1955/1956 in the colours of the manufacturer, Sud Aviation.
Here is the first prototype from around 1955/1956 in the colours of the manufacturer, Sud Aviation.
Interior design of the presidential B.707 designed for President Charles DeGaulle.
Here are Air France documents from 1964
Here are Air France documents from 1964
January 22, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Interior design of the presidential B.707 designed for President Charles DeGaulle.
Here are Air France documents from 1964
Here are Air France documents from 1964
Although the Caravelle was the best known, it was not the only aircraft equipped with triangular windows. Here is the 1961 Potez 840, a French turboprop aircraft designed to carry 18 passengers.
It was the last aircraft to bear the Potez name.
It was the last aircraft to bear the Potez name.
January 21, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Although the Caravelle was the best known, it was not the only aircraft equipped with triangular windows. Here is the 1961 Potez 840, a French turboprop aircraft designed to carry 18 passengers.
It was the last aircraft to bear the Potez name.
It was the last aircraft to bear the Potez name.
Although operated almost exclusively by France, the Breguet Deux Ponts was briefly used by the British airline Silver City in 1953.
It leased a Breguet Br.761 to participate in the 2nd Berlin Airlift.
A total of 127 round trips carried 1,800 tonnes of cargo, with up to 3 round trips in a single day.
It leased a Breguet Br.761 to participate in the 2nd Berlin Airlift.
A total of 127 round trips carried 1,800 tonnes of cargo, with up to 3 round trips in a single day.
January 21, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Although operated almost exclusively by France, the Breguet Deux Ponts was briefly used by the British airline Silver City in 1953.
It leased a Breguet Br.761 to participate in the 2nd Berlin Airlift.
A total of 127 round trips carried 1,800 tonnes of cargo, with up to 3 round trips in a single day.
It leased a Breguet Br.761 to participate in the 2nd Berlin Airlift.
A total of 127 round trips carried 1,800 tonnes of cargo, with up to 3 round trips in a single day.
Excerpt from a 1979 instructional video intended for new Fouga Magister pilots to help them better understand the phenomenon of spinning, in this case a deliberate spin.
© Images Défense
© Images Défense
January 21, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Excerpt from a 1979 instructional video intended for new Fouga Magister pilots to help them better understand the phenomenon of spinning, in this case a deliberate spin.
© Images Défense
© Images Défense
A beautiful take-off of a Concorde in the first Air France livery in the early 1970s.
© Images défense
© Images défense
January 12, 2026 at 12:28 PM
A beautiful take-off of a Concorde in the first Air France livery in the early 1970s.
© Images défense
© Images défense
The Hurel-Dubois HD-321 was a twin-engine cargo and passenger transport aircraft initially designed for Air France.
It is easily recognisable by its high aspect ratio wing and fixed landing gear.
It can be seen here during testing in 1956 in Cyprus during Operation 700.
© Image Défense
It is easily recognisable by its high aspect ratio wing and fixed landing gear.
It can be seen here during testing in 1956 in Cyprus during Operation 700.
© Image Défense
January 10, 2026 at 12:22 PM
The Hurel-Dubois HD-321 was a twin-engine cargo and passenger transport aircraft initially designed for Air France.
It is easily recognisable by its high aspect ratio wing and fixed landing gear.
It can be seen here during testing in 1956 in Cyprus during Operation 700.
© Image Défense
It is easily recognisable by its high aspect ratio wing and fixed landing gear.
It can be seen here during testing in 1956 in Cyprus during Operation 700.
© Image Défense
The 'Turbine Leduc' was one of the very first turbojets developed in France by René Leduc, who also developed the world's first ramjet aircraft.
The turbojet engine, patented in 1934, was ordered by the French government in 1937 as a prototype and ran on a test bench in 1939.
The turbojet engine, patented in 1934, was ordered by the French government in 1937 as a prototype and ran on a test bench in 1939.
January 9, 2026 at 1:52 PM
The 'Turbine Leduc' was one of the very first turbojets developed in France by René Leduc, who also developed the world's first ramjet aircraft.
The turbojet engine, patented in 1934, was ordered by the French government in 1937 as a prototype and ran on a test bench in 1939.
The turbojet engine, patented in 1934, was ordered by the French government in 1937 as a prototype and ran on a test bench in 1939.
The Payen Pa.42/5 was a project studied by Nicolas Roland Payen, a pioneer of delta wings, but in this case a twin-engine aircraft with a completely removable cargo hold.
This is reminiscent of the 1950 Fairchild XC-120 Packplane, whose architecture is incredibly similar.
This is reminiscent of the 1950 Fairchild XC-120 Packplane, whose architecture is incredibly similar.
January 9, 2026 at 1:31 PM
The Payen Pa.42/5 was a project studied by Nicolas Roland Payen, a pioneer of delta wings, but in this case a twin-engine aircraft with a completely removable cargo hold.
This is reminiscent of the 1950 Fairchild XC-120 Packplane, whose architecture is incredibly similar.
This is reminiscent of the 1950 Fairchild XC-120 Packplane, whose architecture is incredibly similar.
The 1935 Payen Pa.101, one of the world's first aircraft with a true delta wing, featured on the cover of the American magazine ‘Bill Barnes, Air Adventurer’.
January 9, 2026 at 1:29 PM
The 1935 Payen Pa.101, one of the world's first aircraft with a true delta wing, featured on the cover of the American magazine ‘Bill Barnes, Air Adventurer’.
Operation of a Pilatus PC-6 by the company ‘Air Alpes’. This was an air transport company created in 1961 and based in the Alps. It played an important role in the development of winter sports, particularly in Courchevel, by dropping off wealthy customers right next to the slopes thanks to altiports
January 8, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Operation of a Pilatus PC-6 by the company ‘Air Alpes’. This was an air transport company created in 1961 and based in the Alps. It played an important role in the development of winter sports, particularly in Courchevel, by dropping off wealthy customers right next to the slopes thanks to altiports
The C400 P1 known as the Atar Volant, was an experimental aircraft designed for the development of a VTOL. It made its first free flight on 13 July 1956.
The results were deemed satisfactory, and a P2 with an open cockpit installed at the top of the aircraft was built.
© Safran
The results were deemed satisfactory, and a P2 with an open cockpit installed at the top of the aircraft was built.
© Safran
January 7, 2026 at 12:19 PM
The C400 P1 known as the Atar Volant, was an experimental aircraft designed for the development of a VTOL. It made its first free flight on 13 July 1956.
The results were deemed satisfactory, and a P2 with an open cockpit installed at the top of the aircraft was built.
© Safran
The results were deemed satisfactory, and a P2 with an open cockpit installed at the top of the aircraft was built.
© Safran
A Breguet Br.941 will be sent to the USA so that companies can test the aircraft's ability STOL in city centres.
To conceal the fact that the aircraft was manufactured abroad, it will be known there as the McDonnell-Douglas 188, used here by Eastern Air Lines for test in 1968.
To conceal the fact that the aircraft was manufactured abroad, it will be known there as the McDonnell-Douglas 188, used here by Eastern Air Lines for test in 1968.
January 6, 2026 at 1:36 PM
A Breguet Br.941 will be sent to the USA so that companies can test the aircraft's ability STOL in city centres.
To conceal the fact that the aircraft was manufactured abroad, it will be known there as the McDonnell-Douglas 188, used here by Eastern Air Lines for test in 1968.
To conceal the fact that the aircraft was manufactured abroad, it will be known there as the McDonnell-Douglas 188, used here by Eastern Air Lines for test in 1968.
The Bréguet Br.124 of 1965/66 was a two-deck long-haul airliner project, as France had no French-produced long-haul jet at the time and sought to catch up.
The project was declined in twin-engine or four-engine.
it was finally abandoned
The project was declined in twin-engine or four-engine.
it was finally abandoned
January 6, 2026 at 10:56 AM
The Bréguet Br.124 of 1965/66 was a two-deck long-haul airliner project, as France had no French-produced long-haul jet at the time and sought to catch up.
The project was declined in twin-engine or four-engine.
it was finally abandoned
The project was declined in twin-engine or four-engine.
it was finally abandoned
Flight demonstration of the splendid Mirage G in 1969.
© Images Défense
© Images Défense
January 5, 2026 at 11:09 AM
Flight demonstration of the splendid Mirage G in 1969.
© Images Défense
© Images Défense
Curiously, one of the most important aircraft for Airbus's early days was a Boeing.
Aero Spacelines, a specialist in converting cargo aircraft derived from the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, created the Guppy series.
Super Guppy was very useful to Airbus for moving components from one site to another.
Aero Spacelines, a specialist in converting cargo aircraft derived from the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, created the Guppy series.
Super Guppy was very useful to Airbus for moving components from one site to another.
January 2, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Curiously, one of the most important aircraft for Airbus's early days was a Boeing.
Aero Spacelines, a specialist in converting cargo aircraft derived from the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, created the Guppy series.
Super Guppy was very useful to Airbus for moving components from one site to another.
Aero Spacelines, a specialist in converting cargo aircraft derived from the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, created the Guppy series.
Super Guppy was very useful to Airbus for moving components from one site to another.