Nord Norécrin
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1945 |
| Headquarters | France |
The Nord 1200 Norécrin is a French-designed cabin monoplane accommodating two to four occupants, developed and manufactured by Nord Aviation.
Development
Conceived to compete in a contest organized by the French ministry of transport, the Norécrin is characterized as a low-wing cantilever monoplane equipped with retractable tricycle landing gear. The initial prototype, known as the Nord 1200, took to the skies on 15 December 1945, powered by a Renault 4Pei engine, despite originally being intended for a Mathis G4-R powerplant. The production version, designated Nord 1201 Norécrin I, accommodated three seats and retained the Renault engine. Subsequent variants introduced various engine types and seating arrangements, including models with four seats. The Nord 1203 Norécrin V served as a two-seat armed military version fitted with machine guns and rockets. Overall, production totaled 378 aircraft.
Variants
- 1200 Norécrin
- Prototype model powered by a Renault 4Pei engine.
- 1201 Norécrin I
- Three-seat production variant using a Renault 4P-01 engine (22 units built).
- 1202 Norécrin
- Four-seat prototype version equipped with a Potez 4D-01 engine.
- 1203 Norécrin II
- Production aircraft featuring a Regnier 4L-00 engine.
- 1203 Norécrin III
- An iteration of the Norécrin II with modified landing gear.
- 1203 Norécrin IV
- Fitted with a Regnier 4L-02 engine.
- 1203 Norécrin V
- Military variant armed for combat roles.
- 1203 Norécrin VI
- Produced in 1955, powered by a Regnier 4L-14 engine.
- 1203 Norécrin M1
- A 1955 prototype incorporating a derated Lycoming O-360 engine.
- 1204 Norécrin
- Powered by a Continental C125 flat-four engine.
- 1204/II Norécrin
- Equipped with a Continental C145-2 flat-four engine.
Operators
- Organização Mineira de Transportes Aéreos (OMTA) – operated one aircraft.
Military operators
- Israeli Air Force – operated two aircraft during the period from 1948 to 1949.
References
- Aloni, Shlomo, "Ils furent les deux premiers avions français de l'armée israélienne: Les deux 'Norécrin d'Israël'," Le Fana de l'Aviation, Sept. 2005, issue 430, pp. 52–55 (French)
- Cuny, Jean, Les avions de combat français, 2: Chasse lourde, bombardement, assaut, exploration, Ed. Larivière, 1989 (French)
- Salatin, Claude, "Courrier des Lecteurs," Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire, March 2002, issue 108, p. 2 (French)
- Taylor, Michael J. H., Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation, Studio Editions, London, 1989
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), Orbis Publishing, p.2616
- Le Trait d'Union (The Norécrin series by Claude Salaun), issues 109 to 121 (1986-1988), French branch of Air Britain