France's Breguet 521 naval reconnaissance flying boat
Photos
Design
The Breguet 521 was based on the civilian Breguet 530 Saigon.1
The Bre 521 was a center hulled biplane seaplane.1
Prototype
The Breguet 521 prototype first took to the air in September 1933.1
Production
- Breguet 521: 301
- Manufacturer: Breguet1
Variants
Usage
Deliveries to reconnaissance units of the Breguet 521 began in 1935.1
Battle of France
Only a few of the Breguet 521s remained when the Battle of France started in May 1940.1
German Usage
The remaining Breguet 521s were taken over by the Germans and used in air-sea rescue.1
Free French Use
One of the Breguet 521s was recaptured by the Free French forces in 1944.1
Specifications
| Breguet 5211 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Naval reconnaissance1 |
| Crew | 81 |
| Engine (Type) | 3: Gnome-Rhône 14 Kirs1 |
| Cylinders | Radial 141 |
| Cooling | Air1 |
| Net HP | 900 each1 |
| Propeller blades | |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 115' 3"1 |
| Length | 66' 8"1 |
| Height | 24' 6"1 |
| Wing area | |
| Weight | |
| Empty | |
| Loaded | 35,320 lb1 |
| Maximum load | |
| Performance | |
| Speed @ 3,200' | 151 mph1 |
| Cruising speed | |
| Climb | |
| Service ceiling | 19,700'1 |
| Range | 1,305 miles1 |
| Maximum range | |
| Armament | 5: MG1 |
| Bombs | 660 lb1 |
Sources:
- World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
