Lioré-et-Olivier LeO 45 was a French medium bomber that was used during and after the Second World War.
It had been designed for the new Armée de l’air as a modern medium bomber capable of performing independent strategic operations, unlike the majority of previous French bombers.
Variants
LeO 45.01
First prototype, powered by two Hispano-Suiza 14AA-6 / Hispano-Suiza 14AA-7 radial piston engines.
LeO 451.01
The first LeO 45.01 prototype was redesignated, fitted with two Gnome-Rhone 14R engines.
LeO 451
Production version variously fitted with Gnome-Rhône 14N-48 / Gnome-Rhône 14N-49 or Gnome-Rhône 14N-38 / Gnome-Rhône 14N-39 or Gnome & Rhône 14N-46 / Gnome-Rhône 14N-47 engines
LeO 451C
Twelve LeO 451T aircraft were redesignated, used as mail transport aircraft for Air France.
LeO 451E2
Post-war flying laboratory, 11 modified.
LeO 451T
German-captured bombers modified for freight duty with seating for up to 17 troops, roughly 50 aircraft were modified.
LeO 453
Post-war conversion to high-speed transports and search-and-rescue aircraft, powered by two 895 kW (1,200 hp) Pratt & Whitney R-1830-67 engines, seating for 6 passengers, range 3,500 km (1,890 nm, 2,175 mi) at 400 km/h (215 knots, 250 mph) cruising speed, 40 modified.
LeO 454
Bristol Hercules II engines, one prototype left unfinished.
LeO 455
High-altitude version with turbo-supercharged Gnome-Rhône 14R engines producing 1,375 hp (1025 kW) each, 400 ordered, one prototype built.
The aircraft flew on 12 March 1939 but was later destroyed on the ground.
LeO 455Ph
Post-war photo-reconnaissance variant, powered by two 1,600 hp (1195 kW) SNECMA 14R engines.
