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
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
look at this beauty...
November 22, 2025 at 2:58 PM
look at this beauty...
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 'Falcon' 20 is also used in France by the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) for research into CO₂ in the atmosphere.
© Langenfeld
© Langenfeld
November 20, 2025 at 11:46 AM
The 'Falcon' 20 is also used in France by the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) for research into CO₂ in the atmosphere.
© Langenfeld
© Langenfeld
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.
Denhaut's first prototype:
November 19, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Denhaut's first prototype:
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.
A "Dragon Rapide" operated by Air France.
November 19, 2025 at 7:19 AM
A "Dragon Rapide" operated by Air France.
First prototype of the ‘Voltigeur’ from 1958, a three-seater anti-guerrilla warfare aircraft.
The 2nd prototype, no longer equipped with a piston engine but with 2 Turboméca “Bastan” engines, broke up in flight during its seventh flight on 9 January 1959, killing its entire crew.
The 2nd prototype, no longer equipped with a piston engine but with 2 Turboméca “Bastan” engines, broke up in flight during its seventh flight on 9 January 1959, killing its entire crew.
November 17, 2025 at 6:09 PM
First prototype of the ‘Voltigeur’ from 1958, a three-seater anti-guerrilla warfare aircraft.
The 2nd prototype, no longer equipped with a piston engine but with 2 Turboméca “Bastan” engines, broke up in flight during its seventh flight on 9 January 1959, killing its entire crew.
The 2nd prototype, no longer equipped with a piston engine but with 2 Turboméca “Bastan” engines, broke up in flight during its seventh flight on 9 January 1959, killing its entire crew.
The NC.860 and its somewhat unusual architecture. It was a prototype light multi-role aircraft. Only one was built, and it made its maiden flight on 29 July 1949.
November 14, 2025 at 9:35 AM
The NC.860 and its somewhat unusual architecture. It was a prototype light multi-role aircraft. Only one was built, and it made its maiden flight on 29 July 1949.
A photograph of an evolution of the aircraft, the Nord 1405 ‘Gerfaut II’.
November 14, 2025 at 9:17 AM
A photograph of an evolution of the aircraft, the Nord 1405 ‘Gerfaut II’.
Nord 1402 "Gerfaut" was an experimental aircraft, one of the very first french delta-wing aircraft in 1954.
On 3 August, piloted by André Turcat, it became one of the first European aircraft to break the sound barrier in horizontal flight, without even using afterburners. Illustration by Jean Masse.
On 3 August, piloted by André Turcat, it became one of the first European aircraft to break the sound barrier in horizontal flight, without even using afterburners. Illustration by Jean Masse.
November 14, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Nord 1402 "Gerfaut" was an experimental aircraft, one of the very first french delta-wing aircraft in 1954.
On 3 August, piloted by André Turcat, it became one of the first European aircraft to break the sound barrier in horizontal flight, without even using afterburners. Illustration by Jean Masse.
On 3 August, piloted by André Turcat, it became one of the first European aircraft to break the sound barrier in horizontal flight, without even using afterburners. Illustration by Jean Masse.
There are 1,000 of you following this account (1,001 to be precise). Thank you to the old followers whom I am delighted to see again on BlueSky, and thank you to the new who are curious to join us!
To mark this nice round number, here is the Breguet Br.1001 Taon, a light fighter aircraft from 1957.
To mark this nice round number, here is the Breguet Br.1001 Taon, a light fighter aircraft from 1957.
November 13, 2025 at 11:58 AM
There are 1,000 of you following this account (1,001 to be precise). Thank you to the old followers whom I am delighted to see again on BlueSky, and thank you to the new who are curious to join us!
To mark this nice round number, here is the Breguet Br.1001 Taon, a light fighter aircraft from 1957.
To mark this nice round number, here is the Breguet Br.1001 Taon, a light fighter aircraft from 1957.
When the contract for the production of a ramjet-powered aircraft was signed between Leduc and the French government in 1937, the aircraft ordered was not designed as an experimental aircraft, but as an aircraft to transport mail at high speed.
November 12, 2025 at 7:50 PM
When the contract for the production of a ramjet-powered aircraft was signed between Leduc and the French government in 1937, the aircraft ordered was not designed as an experimental aircraft, but as an aircraft to transport mail at high speed.
My favourite mail plane. Yes, I did say mail plane. Here is the Leduc 016 converted into the 010-03 at the Air and Space Museum in Le Bourget
November 12, 2025 at 7:50 PM
My favourite mail plane. Yes, I did say mail plane. Here is the Leduc 016 converted into the 010-03 at the Air and Space Museum in Le Bourget
To validate the design of the "Mirage IIIV" VTOL fighter, a demonstrator named Balzac V was built in 1962.
It was equipped with innovations such as Dassault's first electric flight controls and the use of telemetry to communicate flight data in real time with the ground.
It was equipped with innovations such as Dassault's first electric flight controls and the use of telemetry to communicate flight data in real time with the ground.
November 11, 2025 at 9:36 PM
To validate the design of the "Mirage IIIV" VTOL fighter, a demonstrator named Balzac V was built in 1962.
It was equipped with innovations such as Dassault's first electric flight controls and the use of telemetry to communicate flight data in real time with the ground.
It was equipped with innovations such as Dassault's first electric flight controls and the use of telemetry to communicate flight data in real time with the ground.
The Dewoitine D.620 was a prototype airliner from the 1930s developed in parallel with the smaller D.338.
The only prototype built did not go into mass production due to its poor flight characteristics, in addition to the fact that Air France was fully satisfied with its D.338s.
The only prototype built did not go into mass production due to its poor flight characteristics, in addition to the fact that Air France was fully satisfied with its D.338s.
November 11, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The Dewoitine D.620 was a prototype airliner from the 1930s developed in parallel with the smaller D.338.
The only prototype built did not go into mass production due to its poor flight characteristics, in addition to the fact that Air France was fully satisfied with its D.338s.
The only prototype built did not go into mass production due to its poor flight characteristics, in addition to the fact that Air France was fully satisfied with its D.338s.
It still exists in the ‘ailes anciennes’ of Toulouse.
November 11, 2025 at 12:53 PM
It still exists in the ‘ailes anciennes’ of Toulouse.
The Morane-Saulnier MS-1500 ‘Epervier’ from 1958 was a prototype ground attack aircraft.
In the cockpit, the observer sat in front and the pilot sat behind, in a slightly raised seat. This configuration gave both crew members excellent visibility for their respective tasks.
In the cockpit, the observer sat in front and the pilot sat behind, in a slightly raised seat. This configuration gave both crew members excellent visibility for their respective tasks.
November 11, 2025 at 9:03 AM
The Morane-Saulnier MS-1500 ‘Epervier’ from 1958 was a prototype ground attack aircraft.
In the cockpit, the observer sat in front and the pilot sat behind, in a slightly raised seat. This configuration gave both crew members excellent visibility for their respective tasks.
In the cockpit, the observer sat in front and the pilot sat behind, in a slightly raised seat. This configuration gave both crew members excellent visibility for their respective tasks.
The latest version of the aircraft, the SO-6026 from 1951, equipped with a rocket engine in addition to its turbojet engine.
November 11, 2025 at 8:46 AM
The latest version of the aircraft, the SO-6026 from 1951, equipped with a rocket engine in addition to its turbojet engine.