Latécoère 299 Developed for Carrier Operations?

[chris ballance]

Sorry if this is a obvious question, but did the French develop the Latécoère 299 with the primary purpose of it being a carrier aircraft? I saw where the first prototype was described as "shipborne recce/torpedo-bomber" (prototype built without the the Hispano-Suiza 12Y engine), but have not yet seen a reference to carrier trials. Besides modificaitons required for landing gear and the the more powerful Hispano-Suiza 12Y engine introduced with the 2nd prototype, where there any other major changes from the Latécoère 298?

 

[SaparotRob]

I don't think I've ever seen this plane before. I didn't see a tail hook.

 

[don4331]

I knew the latecoere 299 under its 299A tandem engine disguise

 

[chris ballance]

I don't think I've ever seen this plane before. I didn't see a tail hook.

I don't know if the picture I posted is of the first or second prototype. The first had the "ship based description."

 

[cammerjeff]

With the wing folding system I would think it was being developed for Carrier use.

source the Web

 

[chris ballance]

I knew the latecoere 299 under its 299A tandem engine disguise
View attachment 800002

Yes, this was an interesting variant that I saw referenced and found this photo

 

[chris ballance]

With the wing folding system I would think it was being developed for Carrier use.
View attachment 800004
source the Web

I agree, maybe the tall hook is missing because the prototype had not yet progressed that far when the war started? I was looking to see if it it had different flaps or other modifications for carrier landings, but I have not yet seen up close photos of the Laté 298B which had folding wings.

 

[chris ballance]

I don't think I've ever seen this plane before. I didn't see a tail hook.

Yes, it's an obscure aircraft with many people not even knowing about its predecessor the Latécoère 298 seaplane, which had an active operational career during war and was generally considered a successful design.

 

[don4331]

Same plane - so I learned something today, thx

Once you know what to look for you can see the almost completely retracted arresting gear

Now what were the French thinking with the 2nd engine?!

 

[chris ballance]

Same plane - so I learned something today, thx

View attachment 800009
Once you know what to look for you can see the almost completely retracted arresting gear
View attachment 800011

Now what were the French thinking with the 2nd engine?!

Yes! Thank you. After seeing the drawing, the hook is easier to see. Now I wonder if one of the prototypes ever landed on the Béarn? What an unfortunate carrier she was

 

[EwenS]

Now what were the French thinking with the 2nd engine?!

It served as an engine test bed for the later Arsenal VB-10

Arsenal VB 10 Heavy Interceptor Fighter

Started before WWII, the development of the French Arsenal VB 10 was delayed throughout the war. Powered by tandem-engines, the aircraft flew after WWII, but it was outperformed by other aircraft, …

oldmachinepress.com

The French were not the only ones to consider a tandem engine layout. Do335 reached metal while the proposed Fairey Naval Strike Fighter remained on paper.

Fairey Project A

Model of Fairey Project A strike fighter for the Royal Navy circa 1944. Artist's concept Fairey Project A strike fighter. Source: http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/photo_albums/timeline/ww2/Fairey%20Firefly.htm

www.secretprojects.co.uk

The layout lends itself to a more compact twin engined layout than a conventional twin especially for carrier use.

 

[Frog]

Yes! Thank you. The after seeing the drawing, the hook is easier to see. Now I wonder if one of the prototypes ever landed on the Béarn? What an unfortunate carrier she was

No, while the Laté 299 was still under development, by june 1940 the Béarn was disarmed at La Martinique where it collected barnacles during three years.
It was then transferred in the USA on september 8, 1943 for modernization as an airplane transport.

 

[Escuadrilla Azul]

Hi chris ballance

Maybe in this YouTube vid you can find some more info:


View: https://youtu.be/U6vgpHkdvGs?si=0zyD1Y6AXL1XoLAX

 

[chris ballance]

Hi chris ballance

Maybe in this YouTube vid you can find some more info:


View: https://youtu.be/U6vgpHkdvGs?si=0zyD1Y6AXL1XoLAX

Yes, Rex's video was very helpful!

 

[Antarctica]

Yes, it's an obscure aircraft with many people not even knowing about its predecessor the Latécoère 298 seaplane, which had an active operational career during war and was generally considered a successful design. View attachment 800006

Are they canvas sides to the cockpits ?

 

[chris ballance]

Are they canvas sides to the cockpits ?

I could be wrong, but I thought they were protective covers for the retracted canopy sections