Nord Pingouin

Pingouin
A Nord 1002 Pingouin II in 2008. Built in 1945, this aircraft has been painted to represent a Messerschmitt Bf 108. Fitted with a modern Lycoming O-540 engine rather than the original Renault 6Q.
Role Communications and liaison monoplane
Manufacturer SNCAN
First flight 1944
Number built 286
Developed from Messerschmitt Bf 108

The Nord Pingouin (French pronunciation: [pɛ̃ɡwɛ̃], Auk) was a French built and re-engined Messerschmitt Bf 108 produced by SNCAN (Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Nord).

Development

In 1942 the manufacture of the Messerschmitt Bf 108 was transferred to SNCAN (usually known as Nord) at Les Mureaux in occupied France. Before the liberation 170 Bf 108s were built and Nord continued to build the aircraft using scavenged Bf 108 airframe parts as the Nord 1000, until stocks of German Argus engines were exhausted. The type was then re-engined with a 233 hp (174 kW) Renault 6Q 11 six-cylinder inline engine and was designated the Nord 1001 Pingouin I. A further update followed with a Renault 6Q 10-powered variant which was designated the Nord 1002 Pingouin II. Total production was 286[1] with the majority used as communications and liaison aircraft with the French armed forces.

The design was further developed with the tricycle landing gear Nord Noralpha.

Design

The Pingouin was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a braced trimmable horizontal tail surface combined with elevators, and single fin and rudder. It had a tailwheel landing gear with outward retracting main gear. The engine was nose-mounted and it had an enclosed cabin that seated four in two rows of two. Like the Bf 108, the wings had automatic leading edge slats and could be folded when the aircraft was on the ground, allowing the complete aircraft to be transported by rail.[2]

Variants

1000
French-built Bf 108.
1001 Pingouin I
Renault 6Q 11-powered variant.
1002 Pingouin II
Renault 6Q 10-powered variant.

Operators

 France

Specifications (1002)

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development


References

  1. The NZ Warbirds Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun page lists Pingouin production as 285 units; and the Preserved Axis Aircraft Bf 108/Nord 1002 page lists several aircraft with c/nos above 250. C/no. 285 is extant in Australia; and c/no. 286 is in Germany. Both websites accessed 17 November 2008.
  2. Hitchcock, Thomas H. Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun (Monogram Close-Up 5). Acton, MA: Monogram Aviation Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-914144-05-7

External links

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