Nord NC.850
| Company type | Aircraft manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Predecessor | Aérocentre (liquidated) |
| Founded | 1940s |
| Fate | Acquired assets of Aérocentre |
| Successor | Nord Aviation |
| Headquarters | France |
The Nord NC.850—initially known as the Aérocentre NC.850—was a French light airplane developed in the late 1940s, chiefly intended for use by aeroclubs and later adapted for military observation purposes.
Development
Originating from the Aérocentre NC.840, the NC.850 was designed to compete in a French government contest organized by the SALS aimed at creating a domestically produced club aircraft. This model was a high-wing monoplane supported by struts, featuring a tubular fuselage, metal wing structures, and fabric covering. It included an enclosed cabin and a fixed tailwheel landing gear.
Although the SIPA S.90 secured first place in the competition, SALS placed an order for 100 units of the runner-up model, named NC.853, which incorporated twin vertical stabilizers mounted at the ends of the horizontal tailplane. Production ceased after manufacturing 27 units due to Aérocentre’s liquidation; subsequently, Nord acquired the company’s assets and resumed production under the designation NC.853S.
Military version
In March 1951, Nord unveiled the NC.856 Norvigie, a variant featuring an upgraded engine and an extended cockpit with increased glazing, developed for the French Army. This military version was ordered in quantities of 112 units, primarily deployed for artillery reconnaissance missions. A civilian model was also introduced but attracted limited interest, resulting in only two being produced. Additionally, one floatplane variant was presented as a gift to King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia.
Variants
- NC.850 – prototype equipped with a single tail and powered by a Mathis G4F engine (one unit built)
- NC.851 – variant powered by Minié 4.DA.28 engine (nine units built)
- NC.852 – version fitted with Regnier 4EO engine (two units built)
- NC.853 – principal production model featuring twin tails and Minié 4.DC.32 engine (29 units built)
- NC.853S – NC.853 manufactured by Nord (95 units produced)
- NC.853G – NC.853 modified with aile flottante system (one converted)
- NC.854 – NC.853 variant powered by Continental A65 engine (two constructed plus multiple conversions from NC.853)
- NC.854SA – militarized version of NC.854 (two units built)
- NC.856 – NC.853 equipped with Walter Minor engine (one unit built)
- NC.856A – military production variant with redesigned cockpit featuring extensive glazing and Regnier 4LO-4 engine (112 produced)
- NC.856B – four-seat adaptation of NC.856 (one unit built)
- NC.856H – floatplane version of NC.856 incorporating triple tail configuration (one constructed)
- NC.856N – four-seat civil model derived from NC.856A with Regnier 4LO-8 engine (two units built)
- NC.858S – NC.853 conversions fitted with Continental C90 engines
- NC.859S – glider tug variant based on NC.853 powered by Walter Minor engine (nine units produced)
Operators
- Private individuals and flying clubs
- Aviation légère de l'armée de terre