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Dassault MD 315 Flamant

The Dassault MD 315 Flamant is a French light twin engined transport airplane built shortly after World War II.

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 tricycle undercarriage, powered by two Renault 12S piston engines.

Three main versions of the aircraft now named Flamant were produced.

The MD 315 ten-seat colonial communication aircraft, the MD 312 six-seat transport aircraft, and the MD 311 navigation trainer.

The MD 311 had a distinctive glazed nose for its role as both a bombing and navigation trainer.

Variants

MB 30-1

Original proposals for a bombing and navigation trainer.

MB 30-2

Original proposals for a medical and colonial roles.

MB 30-3

Original proposals for a liaison and training aircraft.

MD 303

Prototype, one built, powered by two 310 kW (410 hp) Béarn 6D engines.

MD 311

Bombing, navigation and photography training aircraft, 41 built (1 prototype + 40 production), powered by two 310 kW (410 hp) SNECMA 12S engines.

MD 312

Multi engine pilot trainer and six-seat transport and communications aircraft, 118 built, powered by two 310 kW (410 hp) SNECMA 12S engines.

MD 312M

Utility aircraft for French Navy.

MD 312B

Experimental version with heavier loaded weight, powered by two 310 kW (410 hp) SNECMA 12S engines.

Used later for Mirage IV radar development.

MD 315

Ten-seat utility transport aircraft powered by two 310 kW (410 hp) SNECMA 12S engines.

MD 316T

One prototype fitted with a single-finned tail, and two 600 kW (800 hp) Wright R-1300-CB7A1 Cyclone radial piston engines.

MD 316X

One MD 315 aircraft fitted with two 610 kW (820 hp) SNECMA 14X Super Mars radial piston engines.

Specifications

Crew

2

Capacity

10 passengers

Length

12.50 m (41 ft 0 in)

Wingspan

20.70 m (67 ft 11 in)

Height

4.50 m (14 ft 9 in)

Wing area

47.2 m2 (508 sq ft)

Aspect ratio

8.9:1

Empty weight

4,250 kg (9,370 lb)

Gross weight

5,800 kg (12,787 lb)

Powerplant

2 × Renault 12S 02-201 air-cooled inverted V12 engines, 430 kW (580 hp) each

Performance

Maximum speed

380 km/h (240 mph, 210 kn)

Cruise speed

300 km/h (190 mph, 160 kn)

Range

1,200 km (750 mi, 650 nmi)

Service ceiling

8,000 m (26,000 ft)

Rate of climb

5.00 m/s (985 ft/min)

Take-off distance to 15 m (50 ft)

460 m (1,510 ft)

Armament

Guns

2 × .50 in (12.7 mm) Browning machine guns

Hardpoints

4 with provisions to carry combinations of:

Rockets

4 x 105 mm rockets or 4 x Matra launchers

(7 x 68 mm rockets each)

Bombs

4 x 50 kg (110 lb) bombs.

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