Photo Caudron C.275 Luciole
 

Hello,


Currently on ebay at :


https://www.ebay.de/itm/Frankreich-F...8AAOSwc99eemjF


is a photo of what I believe to be a Caudron Luciole.My question, on the underside of the wing is ?-389. Would this number be assigned based on the construction number, in this case of C.275 7672.389 in which case the aircraft shown would be the former F-AQPC. Alternatively is the completely wrong?


Regards,


Clint

Re: Photo Caudron C.275 Luciole
 

Hi Clint,

If my data is good it is Luciole W-389, F-ARZP, (c/n) 8121

Bertrand

Re: Photo Caudron C.275 Luciole
 

Hi Clint

What you are looking at is the Matricule Militaire (French buzz number).
Quite a few Lucioles were impressed with Armée de l'Air, but as with so much else this is very badly researched. Very few of these numbers are known, but they had nothing to do with the manufacturers various c/n.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Photo Caudron C.275 Luciole
 

That was very interesting Bertrand

Do you have more of these MM numbers in relation to impressed Caudron aircraft?

Cheers
Stig

Re: Photo Caudron C.275 Luciole
 

Hello Bertrand/Stig,


Thanks Bertrand for the correct ID.I'll second Stig's comment it would be very interesting if you have a source for the 'buzz numbers'.


The limited information I have includes F-ARVV c/n 8052 W-320 and F-ARXP c/n 8071 W-339.Suggesting that all c/n numbers and buzz numbers align between W-320 and W-389 if it is as simple as it sounds.And presumably as far as F- F-ASAA c/n 692?


Also if anyone has any information with regard to which unit operated W-389 that too would be good to know.


Regards,


Clint

Re: Photo Caudron C.275 Luciole
 

Checking a bit further, I believe there must be a connection between the huge order made by the French Govt (Etat Francais) and its support to various Flying Clubs in the late 1930s.

This program (called l'Aviation Populaire) attracted a large number of Luciol orders. A rough estimate the c/n 7637 - 7719 and 7876 - 8127 were ordered in this way. Of course many other aircraft types were also ordered.

It must have been pretty easy to impress them when the war broke out. Perhaps they kept their civil reg on the fuselage sides and received the Matricule Militaire under the wings?

Cheers
Stig

Re: Photo Caudron C.275 Luciole
 

Hello Stig,


All the Aviation Populaire machines Here from P.168:


https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...audron&f=false


I guess we can say all the machine belonged to the state throughout, they were merely loaned until the war.


Regards,


Clint

Re: Photo Caudron C.275 Luciole
 

Hi

There is not one source but many sources

It seems that there is no list of factory/French state with F-Axxx/W-xxx/c-n

All the existing info are mixed to obtain a "DIY" work : Accident report, individual logbooks, archives from training schools, F-Axxx register etc.....

I enclose a gendarmerie report which gives M-293 (read W, M upside down !), c/n on fin and French unit.

Attachment 19129

With these info : CAUDRON 275 LUCIOLE n°8025/F-ARST/8025 W-293 of EEP 36 at La Roche sur Yon

bertrand

Re: Photo Caudron C.275 Luciole
 

Clint

Book not on my shelves....

Bertrand

Pity no list exists of all the MM numbers. They had been around since 1923.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Photo Caudron C.275 Luciole
 

Hi Stig,


The book in this case doesn't need to be on your shelf. I meant if you click the link I gave you'll be able to see a list of aircraft with F-A*** registrations used by the Aviation Populaire starting on P.168 if you scroll down.


Regards,


Clint