Malcros, Christian - Nord 3400 Norbarbe in service with ALAT (ebook)

Nord 3400 Norbarbe in service with the ALAT (ebook)
By Christian Malcros

This is the first in a series by Christian Malcros on aircraft in service with the ALAT.
The Nord 3400 Norbarbe was a light, single-engine, high-wing, tandem two-seater observation aircraft that saw service with the ALAT from 1959 to 1983. Delivery of the 150 aircraft ordered (plus two prototypes) began in September 1959, at a rate of ten per month. A special feature was that the observer's seat could be rotated through 360° to take full advantage of the high-visibility canopy. The engine is a 260 hp Potez 4-D 34C, which can cruise at 180 km/h. Its metal structure is part metal, part canvas. 
Fitted with two-bladed Ratier propellers, the aircraft were grounded on 30 November 1964. They were returned to service in 1965, after being fitted with a Hartzell three-blade propeller. 
The radio-compass version appeared from the 51st aircraft onwards. And, photo capability concerns 70 N3400s, from no. 61 to 130 inclusive (40 photo lots). 
All the aircraft are capable of towing targets (20 maintenance batches). 59 aircraft were overhauled on 6 May 1968 by the Bruz ERGM, then 42 in 1972, also by the Bruz ERGM. 
Six Nord 3400s were sold to the Gendarmerie on 13 April 1972.

52 pages - in French - PDF to download