SO-4050 Vulture

See also: Vulture (homonymy)

SO-4050 Vautour is a Avion multirôles twin-jet aircraft French designed by SNCASO with the beginning of the year 1950. It was built with 140 specimens, including 30 exported towards Israel. The last Vultures were withdrawn from the service at the end of the years 1970.

Design

With the beginning of the year 1950, the French air force emits a request for a heavy hunter propelled by two engines SNECMA Atar. Having worked on a project of finally abandoned bomber, SNCASO proposes of it a derivative of lower size with the engines installed under the wings, a ventral compartment for the carrying of armament, 4 guns of 30 mm, a very good autonomy and a maximum speed higher than 1000 km/h.

The project is accepted in 1952 and three required versions:

  • Vulture II a: attack aircraft (single-seat)
  • Vulture II NR: hunter all times (two-seater out of tandem)
  • Vulture II b: bomber (two-seater with a navigator/bomber installed in front of the transparent nose)

The first prototype, a Vulture II NR, makes its inaugural flight on October 16th, 1952 with engines Atar 101  B. In June 1953, it receives from Atar 101  C and exceeds the Mur of the sound in piqué. The prototype of Vulture II has took off him for the first time on December 16th, 1953, and that of Vulture II B on December 5th, 1954. These prototypes are followed by 6 specimens of preproduction equipped with engines Atar 101  D then Atar 101  E.

Career

After some modifications, the series production is launched and the first Vulture officially delivered in May 1956. The initial order of 300 specimens is finally reduced to only 140 at the end of 1958. The French air force realizes quickly that it does not need Vulture II has and, after having used them for the training of its pilots, proposes them with export.

Part of Vulture II B French is modified to be also able to carry out reconnaissance missions (Vulture II Br) and another for the electronic war (Vulture II GE). An about sixty planes are revised and modernized between 1967 and 1971. Last the Vulture are withdrawn from the service in December 1978, only some remaining specimens used for the towing of target or the tests of radar.

In April 1957, Israel buys 19 Vulture II has, 4 Vulture II NR and 8 Vulture II B. These planes are delivered between August 1957 and March 1959. The Vulture Israelis undergo several modifications during their career of which in particular the adaptation of a certain number of them to reconnaissance missions. They are withdrawn from the service in 1971 for the majority, certain remainders used still a few months in 1972.

Engagement

Israel engaged its Vulture at the time of the Guerre the six day old (1967), like in various operations of less importance. Six planes were cut down by the anti-aircraft defense or unfavourable aviation.

Alternatives

  • Vulture II a: plane of attack on the ground (30 specimens)

  • Vulture II NR: hunter all times (70 specimens)
  • Vauteur II b: bomber (40 specimens)

Other characteristics

In spite of its massive pace, the Vulture was very manoeuvrable and pleasant to control. Its manufacture implemented techniques advanced for the time: metal joining and use of materials of the honeycomb type. Its Gear landing was a train monotrace composed of two twin wheels out of tandem under the fuselage and of two casters in the nacelles of the engines.

See too

Internal bonds

External bonds

  • the Vulture on the site of the Academy of the Air and the Space of Aquitaine
  • the Vulture on the site of EADS
  • The Vulture Pages, a site devoted to the Vulture

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