Author: Pepe Rezende Date: 29 Jun 2007
CFS2 Latecoere Late 300. The Latecoere 300 flew for the first time in 1931 and then had to be rebuilt after sinking. It was flown again in 1932 as the Croix du Sud parasol-wing monoplane flying-boat with four 484.4kW Hispano-Suiza 12NBr water-cooled engines in tandem pairs. On 31 December 1933 it achieved an international record by covering covering 3,679km non-stop flight. Thereafter it operated the Air France South Atlantic mail service between Dakar and Natal, until it was lost at sea with pilot Jean Mermoz on the 24th crossing on 7 December 1936. The all-metal two-step hull accommodated a four-man crew with sleeping accommodation, mail load and most of the fuel.
Author: A. F. Scrub Date: 18 May 2007
FS2002/FS2004/CFS2 Seafire F./F.R. XVII, F.R.17. Development work with the third prototype Seafire XV, NS493, led to a new aircraft, designated Mk. XVII, Type 384. The main changes were the adoption of the rear-view fuselage and modified hood, a strengthened undercarriage with a longer stroke for the oleo legs, a sting-type hook as standard on all models and fittings without exception for RATOG apparatus. Thus the XVII was merely an improved XV. The Mk. XVII appeared in 1945, too late for active war service, reaching squadron service in September that year with No. 883 Squadron. It followed the Mk. XV on production, but due to cancelled orders in 1945, production was limited to 212 by Westland and 20 by Cunliffe-Owen. All were produced as purely naval fighters, but in March 1947 a few were modified to accommodate one vertical and one oblique F.24 camera, and these aircraft were designated F.R. XVII. Not until November 1954, after serving for many years with the Naval Reserve Squadrons, was the XVII finally withdrawn from service.
Author: Jim Jacobson Date: 03 May 2007
FS2002/FS2004/CFS2 PB2Y Coronado. The Coronado resulted from a U.S. Navy request for the development of a maritime patrol bomber larger than the PBY Catalina, one that would have increased performance and good weapon load capability. Though the prototype first flew in December 1937, the Navy did not have the funds at that time to procure the aircraft, and Consolidated had to wait 15 months before orders were placed. During that time improvements in the aircraft's stability and hydrodynamic performance were made, so that the 1939 version was considerably improved. Variants served with the U.S. Navy from 1940 on.
