Arsenal de l'Aéronautique explained

Arsenal de l'Aéronautique
Fate:	Merged
Successor:	Nord Aviation
Foundation:	1936
Founder:	French Air Ministry (Ministère de l'Air)
Defunct:	1955
Location City:	Villacoublay
Location Country:	France
Industry:	Aeronautics, defence
Products:	Aircraft

Arsenal de l'Aéronautique (commonly named Arsenal) was a national military aircraft manufacturer established by the French Government in 1936 at Villacoublay. In the years before World War II, it developed a range of technically advanced fighter aircraft, but none of these were manufactured in sufficient quantities to be of any use against the German invasion. Following the war, Arsenal was relocated to Châtillon-sous-Bagneux, where it was privatised as SFECMAS (la Société Française d’Etude et de Constructions de Matériel Aéronautiques Spéciaux) in 1952. In 1955 SFECMAS joined SNCAN to create Nord Aviation.

Aircraft

Arsenal VG 30

(1938) Single-engine one-seat low-wing monoplane propeller-engine fighter aircraft. One prototype built

Arsenal VG 31

VG-30 variant powered by Hispano-Suiza engine. One built

Arsenal VG 32

VG-30 variant powered by Allison engine. One built

Arsenal VG-33

Production version of VG-32

Arsenal VG-34

VG-33 variant with newer engine. One built

Arsenal VG-35

VG-33 variant with newer engine. One built

Arsenal VG-36

VG-33 variant with newer engine and modified radiator housing. One built

Arsenal VG-37

Proposed VG-33 variant with longer range. Not built

Arsenal VG-38

Proposed VG-33 variant with newer engine. Not built

Arsenal VG-39

VG-36 variant with more streamlined nose and larger engine. One built

Arsenal VG-40

VG-39 variant with Rolls-Royce engine. Not built

Arsenal VG-50

VG-39 variant with Allison engine. Not built

Arsenal VB 10

(1945) Two-engine single-seat propeller fighter aircraft with fore-and-aft engines. Six built

Arsenal O.101

(1947) Single-engine two-seat low-wing aerodynamic research aircraft. One built

Arsenal VG 70

(1948) Single-engine one-seat high-wing swept-wing jet experimental aircraft. One built

Arsenal VG 80

(1949) Single-engine one-seat high-wing swept-wing carrier-based jet fighter. Three built; two completed

Arsenal-Delanne 10

Aero engines

Arsaéro

Arsenal 12H

Postwar French development of the Junkers Jumo 213 V-12 engine.

Arsenal 12H-Tandem

2x 12H engines in tandem driving co-axial propellers.

Arsenal 12K

Further development of the 12H.

Arsenal 24H

A 24-cylinder H-24 engine utilising 12H cylinder blocks, crankshafts and pistons mounted on a new crankcase driving a single propeller.

Arsenal 24H-Tandem

2x 24H engines in tandem driving co-axial propellers.

Gliders

Arsenal O.101

supersonic research glider

Arsenal 2301

supersonic research glider

Targets and missiles

Arsenal 5201

(SS 10 (sol-sol))

Arsenal AS 10

(ALAT (AAM))

Arsenal 5501

(CT 10 target)

Arsenal 5510

(CT 20 target)

Nord SM 20

(sol-mer anti-shipping)

Nord CT 41

(supersonic target)

See also

References

Book: Gunston, Bill . World Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers . 1993 . Naval Institute Press . Annapolis . 29 .