Marlène Aviation
@aviationmarlene.bsky.social
I talk about the french aviation history, aircraft, projects, and flying machines designed in France.
SE-210 "Caravelle" lover
A scientific mediator in the space industry
SE-210 "Caravelle" lover
A scientific mediator in the space industry
Take-off of a Potez 63-11 at the beginning of WWII. It was a three-seater aircraft designed for reconnaissance, with 723 units produced.
© Images défense
© Images défense
November 28, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Take-off of a Potez 63-11 at the beginning of WWII. It was a three-seater aircraft designed for reconnaissance, with 723 units produced.
© Images défense
© Images défense
Public presentation of the two experimental ‘Leduc 021’ ramjet aircraft and their ‘Languedoc’ aircraft at the 1955 Paris Air Show.
November 28, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Public presentation of the two experimental ‘Leduc 021’ ramjet aircraft and their ‘Languedoc’ aircraft at the 1955 Paris Air Show.
The 1939 Potez 670, (later renamed 671), was a three-seat fighter derived from the Potez 630.
The fuselage was identical, but the wings, engine and nacelles had been redesigned.
Performance was satisfactory and an order for 40 aircraft was placed, but the 1940 armistice put an end to the project.
The fuselage was identical, but the wings, engine and nacelles had been redesigned.
Performance was satisfactory and an order for 40 aircraft was placed, but the 1940 armistice put an end to the project.
November 28, 2025 at 12:20 PM
The 1939 Potez 670, (later renamed 671), was a three-seat fighter derived from the Potez 630.
The fuselage was identical, but the wings, engine and nacelles had been redesigned.
Performance was satisfactory and an order for 40 aircraft was placed, but the 1940 armistice put an end to the project.
The fuselage was identical, but the wings, engine and nacelles had been redesigned.
Performance was satisfactory and an order for 40 aircraft was placed, but the 1940 armistice put an end to the project.
The SO.9000 ‘Trident I’ from 1953 was a prototype interceptor powered by two jet engines at the wing tips and a rocket engine at the rear of the fuselage.
In 1955, it reached Mach 1.63.
It served as the basis for more powerful versions such as the Trident II and III.
In 1955, it reached Mach 1.63.
It served as the basis for more powerful versions such as the Trident II and III.
November 27, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The SO.9000 ‘Trident I’ from 1953 was a prototype interceptor powered by two jet engines at the wing tips and a rocket engine at the rear of the fuselage.
In 1955, it reached Mach 1.63.
It served as the basis for more powerful versions such as the Trident II and III.
In 1955, it reached Mach 1.63.
It served as the basis for more powerful versions such as the Trident II and III.
The SUC-10 ‘Courlis’ was a relatively modern-looking tourist aircraft from 1946 with a pusher configuration.
It was equipped with a ‘Mathis’ G-8R engine, which was withdrawn from certification due to faults, preventing the aircraft from being marketed despite the production of 144 airframes.
It was equipped with a ‘Mathis’ G-8R engine, which was withdrawn from certification due to faults, preventing the aircraft from being marketed despite the production of 144 airframes.
November 27, 2025 at 1:02 PM
The SUC-10 ‘Courlis’ was a relatively modern-looking tourist aircraft from 1946 with a pusher configuration.
It was equipped with a ‘Mathis’ G-8R engine, which was withdrawn from certification due to faults, preventing the aircraft from being marketed despite the production of 144 airframes.
It was equipped with a ‘Mathis’ G-8R engine, which was withdrawn from certification due to faults, preventing the aircraft from being marketed despite the production of 144 airframes.
The Fauvel AV-36 was a single-seat flying wing glider from the 1950s.
It is not a true flying wing as it has two fins behind the trailing edge.
Here is a version modified by Emile Gouverne, equipped with an engine and a completely redesigned cockpit.
It is not a true flying wing as it has two fins behind the trailing edge.
Here is a version modified by Emile Gouverne, equipped with an engine and a completely redesigned cockpit.
November 27, 2025 at 12:40 PM
The Fauvel AV-36 was a single-seat flying wing glider from the 1950s.
It is not a true flying wing as it has two fins behind the trailing edge.
Here is a version modified by Emile Gouverne, equipped with an engine and a completely redesigned cockpit.
It is not a true flying wing as it has two fins behind the trailing edge.
Here is a version modified by Emile Gouverne, equipped with an engine and a completely redesigned cockpit.
The second prototype of the SE-210 ‘Caravelle’ in the late 1950s, painted in Air France colours.
A work of art !
© Marlène Aviation
A work of art !
© Marlène Aviation
November 26, 2025 at 10:55 AM
The second prototype of the SE-210 ‘Caravelle’ in the late 1950s, painted in Air France colours.
A work of art !
© Marlène Aviation
A work of art !
© Marlène Aviation
Today marks 60 years since France became the third space power by launching the A-1 Astérix satellite on 26 November 1965. Here is the launch with the ‘Diamant A’ rocket.
© CNES / Images Défense
© CNES / Images Défense
November 26, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Today marks 60 years since France became the third space power by launching the A-1 Astérix satellite on 26 November 1965. Here is the launch with the ‘Diamant A’ rocket.
© CNES / Images Défense
© CNES / Images Défense
Today marks 60 years since France became the third space power by launching the A-1 Astérix satellite on 26 November 1965... So happy anniversary to
November 26, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Today marks 60 years since France became the third space power by launching the A-1 Astérix satellite on 26 November 1965... So happy anniversary to
A ‘Vautour’ II.N, the all-weather fighter variant of the twin-engine SO.4050 ‘Vautour’, here in the colours of Normandie-Niemen.
© Collection Jean-Paul Barillot
© Collection Jean-Paul Barillot
November 25, 2025 at 2:53 PM
A ‘Vautour’ II.N, the all-weather fighter variant of the twin-engine SO.4050 ‘Vautour’, here in the colours of Normandie-Niemen.
© Collection Jean-Paul Barillot
© Collection Jean-Paul Barillot
The Dassault ‘Flamant’ was a military liaison and training aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation in the late 1940s. With 325 units produced, it remained in service with the French Air Force until 1983 and was the first aircraft produced by Marcel Bloch under the name Dassault.
© Dassault
© Dassault
November 25, 2025 at 12:52 PM
The Dassault ‘Flamant’ was a military liaison and training aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation in the late 1940s. With 325 units produced, it remained in service with the French Air Force until 1983 and was the first aircraft produced by Marcel Bloch under the name Dassault.
© Dassault
© Dassault
The 1952 Dassault MD.316T was a prototype light transport aircraft, a modernised version of the MD.315 ‘Flamant’.
It was not mass-produced due to a lack of interest from airlines. It was subsequently envisaged for production as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft, but this did not come to fruition.
It was not mass-produced due to a lack of interest from airlines. It was subsequently envisaged for production as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft, but this did not come to fruition.
November 25, 2025 at 10:35 AM
The 1952 Dassault MD.316T was a prototype light transport aircraft, a modernised version of the MD.315 ‘Flamant’.
It was not mass-produced due to a lack of interest from airlines. It was subsequently envisaged for production as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft, but this did not come to fruition.
It was not mass-produced due to a lack of interest from airlines. It was subsequently envisaged for production as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft, but this did not come to fruition.
‘Diamant A’, the first European space launcher, made its maiden flight in 1965, placing the A-1 ‘Astérix’ satellite into orbit.
November 24, 2025 at 5:21 PM
‘Diamant A’, the first European space launcher, made its maiden flight in 1965, placing the A-1 ‘Astérix’ satellite into orbit.
Although popularised by the British "Vickers Wellington" bomber, the geodesic construction technique was first used on an aircraft in the early 1920s with the Latécoère Laté-6, an all-metal bomber.
November 23, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Although popularised by the British "Vickers Wellington" bomber, the geodesic construction technique was first used on an aircraft in the early 1920s with the Latécoère Laté-6, an all-metal bomber.
In France, we love Delta wings for many reasons. Here are two of them:
Air France "Concorde" and an RAAF "Mirage III" flying close together.
Air France "Concorde" and an RAAF "Mirage III" flying close together.
November 23, 2025 at 10:21 AM
In France, we love Delta wings for many reasons. Here are two of them:
Air France "Concorde" and an RAAF "Mirage III" flying close together.
Air France "Concorde" and an RAAF "Mirage III" flying close together.
Some beautiful French bombers:
Amiot 351
LeO 451
Vautour II
Mirage IV
Amiot 351
LeO 451
Vautour II
Mirage IV
November 23, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Some beautiful French bombers:
Amiot 351
LeO 451
Vautour II
Mirage IV
Amiot 351
LeO 451
Vautour II
Mirage IV
Following the occupation of France by Germany during WWII, the Free French Air Force (FAFL) opened aviation schools in North Africa.
Here in 1945, a bomber school equipped with LeO-451s whose fuselages had been sanded down by the desert sand, revealing the fuselage aluminium
© Images défense
Here in 1945, a bomber school equipped with LeO-451s whose fuselages had been sanded down by the desert sand, revealing the fuselage aluminium
© Images défense
November 22, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Following the occupation of France by Germany during WWII, the Free French Air Force (FAFL) opened aviation schools in North Africa.
Here in 1945, a bomber school equipped with LeO-451s whose fuselages had been sanded down by the desert sand, revealing the fuselage aluminium
© Images défense
Here in 1945, a bomber school equipped with LeO-451s whose fuselages had been sanded down by the desert sand, revealing the fuselage aluminium
© Images défense
Like the sketch of a masterpiece. The wooden model of the Latécoère 631 in the late 1930s, used to visualise the layout of the giant flying boat. Despite its undeniable elegance, the commercial operation of the Laté 631 was marred by accidents.
November 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Like the sketch of a masterpiece. The wooden model of the Latécoère 631 in the late 1930s, used to visualise the layout of the giant flying boat. Despite its undeniable elegance, the commercial operation of the Laté 631 was marred by accidents.
The LeO H-13 is a commercial biplane flying boat that first flew in July 1922. From 1923 onwards, 23 LeO H-13A passenger aircraft were built. Several military variants were developed: the LeO H-13B-3 reconnaissance bomber and the LeO H-13E trainer.
© Elisabeth Basset-Terrusse & Claude Antonini.
© Elisabeth Basset-Terrusse & Claude Antonini.
November 22, 2025 at 12:14 PM
The LeO H-13 is a commercial biplane flying boat that first flew in July 1922. From 1923 onwards, 23 LeO H-13A passenger aircraft were built. Several military variants were developed: the LeO H-13B-3 reconnaissance bomber and the LeO H-13E trainer.
© Elisabeth Basset-Terrusse & Claude Antonini.
© Elisabeth Basset-Terrusse & Claude Antonini.
The fabulous aircraft from Dassault in the late 1950s.
November 22, 2025 at 10:59 AM
The fabulous aircraft from Dassault in the late 1950s.
The 1936 Lioré et Olivier LeO H-47 was a flying boat designed to carry passengers and mail, but when the Second World War broke out, this type of aircraft was converted for use as a maritime patrol and liaison aircraft.
© Olivier Beerneart
© Olivier Beerneart
November 22, 2025 at 8:56 AM
The 1936 Lioré et Olivier LeO H-47 was a flying boat designed to carry passengers and mail, but when the Second World War broke out, this type of aircraft was converted for use as a maritime patrol and liaison aircraft.
© Olivier Beerneart
© Olivier Beerneart
I know the SNCASO SO.4000 "Vautour I" prototype bomber from 1951 was a bit of a dud, but despite its strange appearance on the ground with its disproportionate landing gear, I really like it...
Seriously, look at it!
Seriously, look at it!
November 20, 2025 at 12:06 PM
I know the SNCASO SO.4000 "Vautour I" prototype bomber from 1951 was a bit of a dud, but despite its strange appearance on the ground with its disproportionate landing gear, I really like it...
Seriously, look at it!
Seriously, look at it!
The Dassault 'Falcon' 20G, known in the USA as the HU-25C 'Guardian', is a French business jet that has enjoyed worldwide success.
It has been used by NASA since 2011 to provide a medium-altitude, medium-range platform for remote sensing instruments and satellite support
© NASA
It has been used by NASA since 2011 to provide a medium-altitude, medium-range platform for remote sensing instruments and satellite support
© NASA
November 20, 2025 at 11:18 AM
The Dassault 'Falcon' 20G, known in the USA as the HU-25C 'Guardian', is a French business jet that has enjoyed worldwide success.
It has been used by NASA since 2011 to provide a medium-altitude, medium-range platform for remote sensing instruments and satellite support
© NASA
It has been used by NASA since 2011 to provide a medium-altitude, medium-range platform for remote sensing instruments and satellite support
© NASA
Mr Leduc's beautiful silver bird, the 010.
Excerpt from the cover of Aviation Magazine No. 27, 1951.
Excerpt from the cover of Aviation Magazine No. 27, 1951.
November 19, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Mr Leduc's beautiful silver bird, the 010.
Excerpt from the cover of Aviation Magazine No. 27, 1951.
Excerpt from the cover of Aviation Magazine No. 27, 1951.
In 1911, French engineer Denhaut began construction of a hull seaplane, the first in history, with a very important innovation: the step, which facilitates the aircraft's take-off.
The aircraft was mass-produced thanks to the partnership between Donnet and Lévêque.
The aircraft was mass-produced thanks to the partnership between Donnet and Lévêque.
November 19, 2025 at 9:11 AM
In 1911, French engineer Denhaut began construction of a hull seaplane, the first in history, with a very important innovation: the step, which facilitates the aircraft's take-off.
The aircraft was mass-produced thanks to the partnership between Donnet and Lévêque.
The aircraft was mass-produced thanks to the partnership between Donnet and Lévêque.