Dassault MD 315 Flamant
by Chris Lord
Title
Dassault MD 315 Flamant
Artist
Chris Lord
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography
Description
The Dassault MD 315 Flamant is a French light twin-engined transport airplane built shortly after World War II by Dassault Aviation for the French Air Force.
Design work on a twin-engined light transport started in 1946 with the MD 303, a development of an earlier project for an eight-seat communications aircraft the Marcel Bloch MB-30. The prototype MD 303 first flew on 26 February 1947 powered by two Béarn 6D engines, designed to meet a French Air Force requirement for a colonial communications aircraft. A re-engined version was ordered into production at the new Dassault factory at Bordeaux-Mérignac. The production aircraft was a low-wing monoplane with twin tail surfaces and a tri-cycle undercarriage and powered by two Renault 12S piston engines.
Three main versions of the aircraft now named Flamant (means Flamingo in French) were produced. The MD 315 10-seat colonial communication aircraft (first flown on 6 July 1947), the MD 312 six-seat transport aircraft (first flew on 27 April 1950), and the MD 311 navigation trainer (first flew on 23 March 1948. The MD 311 had a distinctive glazed nose for its role as both a bombing and navigation trainer.
The aircraft was used for pilot training, navigation training, light transport, maritime surveillance and light ground attack. During the Algerian War of Independence the plane was used for light attack with the Nord SS.11 and AS.11 antitank missiles or with machine guns, bombs, and rockets. The Flamant MD 311 (which were based in Algeria to train pilots and navigators at first) was the first aircraft in history to fire one of the world's first wire guided antitank missile in anger, using French Army SS.11 antitank missiles, in a combat experiment to get at fortified caves located in deep mountain gorges, 1956 from an aircraft based with the special unit of the French Air Force in Algeria, GOM.86. The SS.11 attacks proved extremely successful and the French Army which had provided the missiles, began an experiment which resulted in the worlds first attack helicopters firing antitank missiles. The Flamant stayed in service until 1981. In addition to the French air force, the Flamant served in Cambodia, Madagascar, Tunisia, and Vietnam.
Uploaded
October 12th, 2013
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Comments (13)
Chris Lord
A great many THANKS goes out to ANASTASIA KONN for very kindly awarding a FEATURE to this image in the group "PhotosRUs" Much appreciated Anastasia, cheers.
Chris Lord
I'm honored to announce that SHARON MAU has kindly awarded a FEATURE to this image in the group "SQUARE FORMAT" Thanks very much Sharon, I'm very grateful
Chris Lord
I'm happy to announce that MAJ SEDA has graciously awarded a FEATURE to this image in the group "AIRPLANE" Thanks very much Maj, I'm very honored
Chris Lord
I'm honored to announce that VICTORIA KIRICHENKO has kindly awarded a FEATURE to this image in the group "AIRPLANES and AIRPORTS" Thanks very much Victoria, I'm very grateful
Chris Lord
Mr. JACK TORCELLO has honored this image with a FEATURE in the group "The Artful Photo Topaz Adjust Photomatix HDR Nik" Many THANKS jack, this is greatly appreciated.
Chris Lord
A great many THANKS goes out to MARIA WALL for very kindly awarding a FEATURE to this image in the group "THE PHOTOGRAPHER"S CAFE" Much appreciated Maria, cheers.
Bob Orsillo
Breathtaking photography Chris! V/F
Chris Lord replied:
The French mechanic for the flying team saw the shots of these planes and contacted me on FB inviting me to go shoot the interiors and close ups on the airfield next year. How cool is that? Super pleased that you liked this one too Bob. Thank you so much especially for the generous v/f. Cheers