Dassault MD 315 Flamant
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1929 |
| Headquarters | Mérignac , France |
| Products | Aircraft, including the MD 315 Flamant |
The Dassault MD 315 Flamant is a French twin-engine light transport aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation in the aftermath of World War II for use by the French Air Force.
Design and development
The design process started in 1946 with the MD 303, which was derived from the eight-passenger Marcel Bloch MB-30. The MD 303 prototype took to the skies for the first time on 26 February 1947, equipped with two Béarn 6D engines, intended to fulfill a French Air Force need for colonial communication duties. Manufactured at Dassault’s Bordeaux-Mérignac plant, production variants featured a low-wing monoplane configuration, twin vertical stabilizers, tricycle landing gear, and were powered by two Renault 12S piston engines.
Three principal versions were produced: the MD 315—a ten-seat aircraft designed for colonial communication missions (first flight on 6 July 1947); the MD 312, a six-seat transport variant (initial flight on 27 April 1950); and the MD 311, a navigation trainer (first flown on 23 March 1948) distinguished by its glazed nose section tailored for bombing and navigation instruction.
Operational history
The Flamant entered operational service with the French Air Force in 1949, with all deliveries finalized by 1953. It fulfilled diverse roles including pilot and navigator training, light transport duties, maritime patrol, and limited ground attack operations.
During the Algerian War of Independence, the Flamant was armed with Nord SS.11 and AS.11 anti-tank missiles, along with machine guns, bombs, and rockets to perform light attack missions. Notably, MD 311 models stationed in Algeria were pioneers in deploying wire-guided SS.11 missiles in combat situations (1956), targeting fortified cave positions within mountainous regions. This effective use played a significant role in inspiring subsequent development of attack helicopters equipped with anti-tank weaponry.
The Flamant remained active until 1981. Beyond France, it was operated by air forces in Cambodia, Madagascar, Tunisia, and Vietnam.
Variants
- MB 30-1
- Initial proposal for bombing and navigation training.
- MB 30-2
- Concept intended for medical evacuation and colonial service.
- MB 30-3
- Proposed liaison and training platform.
- MD 303
- Prototype powered by two Béarn 6D engines; only one constructed.
- MD 311
- Trainer for bombing, navigation, and aerial photography roles; total of 41 built (1 prototype plus 40 production units), powered by two SNECMA 12S engines.
- MD 312
- Multi-engine pilot trainer and six-seat transport/communication aircraft; production count of 118 units with two SNECMA 12S engines.
- MD 312M
- Utility aircraft variant used by the French Navy; 25 built.
- MD 312B
- Experimental single-tail fin model featuring rectangular windows and increased maximum weight; one unit built, later adapted for radar development on the Mirage IV.
- MD 315
- Ten-seat utility transport version; total of 137 produced, equipped with two SNECMA 12S engines.
- MD 316T
- Prototype featuring a single fin and two Wright R-1300-CB7A1 Cyclone radial engines.
- MD 316X
- A modified MD 315 fitted with two SNECMA 14X Super Mars radial engines.
Operators
- Cambodian Air Force (MD 315)
- Cameroon Air Force (MD 315)
- French Air Force (MD 315, MD 312, MD 311)
- French Navy (MD 312)
- Khmer Air Force
- Madagascar Aeronaval Force (MD 315, MD 312)
- Niger Air Force (one MD 312 acquired during the 1960s)
- Republic of Vietnam Air Force (MD 312, MD 315)
- Tunisian Air Force (MD 312)
Further Reading
- Bridgman, Leonard (editor) Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1953–54. London: Jane's Publishing, 1953.
- Chillon, Jacques; Dubois, Jean-Pierre; Wegg, John. French Transport Aircraft After World War II. Air-Britain, 1980.
- Cuny, Jean. French Combat Aircraft, Volume 2: Heavy Fighters, Bombers, Assault, Reconnaissance. Larivière Editions, 1989.
- Francillon, René J. "Flamant — Dassault’s Reliable Workhorse". Air Enthusiast, Issue 49, March–May 1993. pp. 48–59.