Léo C.30 Autogyro - any missions in May-June 1940?

[Leendert]

The Armée de Terre was handed some two dozen Léo C.30 autogyros from the Armée de l'Air in February 1940 and came in service with, as far as I could gather, the Centre d'Instruction des Observateurs d'Artillerie at Mailly-le-Camp (Marne). Before then, they were at nearby Sommesous, also with a Centre d'Instruction.

I wonder if any of these autogyros was ever sent on an active mission during the Battle of France in May-June 1940?

Thanks for info.

Regards, Leendert

[Stig Jarlevik]

Interesting question Leendert

Since Jacques Molin does not mention this in his book, from where does your info originate?

AA had a school at Sommesous, the CIOAA (Centre d'Instruction a l'Obervation sur Avions et Autogiro)
He is somewhat vague about its creation, saying both ca Aug 1939 (on 1 Sep it had three aircraft)
and early 1940.
He also list its basic personal early Feb 1940.

He dismiss their use in the BoF in a few lines since he did obviously not find any indication neither
AA nor la Marine used them.

So what about the French Army?

Cheers
Stig

[Leendert]

Stig, got some info from here: https://www.alat.fr/historique-precu...1934-1940.html

Leendert

[Bertrand H]

Hi

GAO 1/514 had also two Leo C30 and a last flight (test) on 16/12/1939 ; nothing in 1940.


27/09/1939 Leo 00:40
18/10/1939 LC30 -28 00:35
18/10/1939 LC30 -38 00:35
19/10/1939 LC30 -28 01:35
19/10/1939 LC30 -38 01:20
20/10/1939 LC30 -38 00:20
20/10/1939 LC30 -38 00:30
24/10/1939 LC30 -28 01:00
30/10/1939 LC30 -28 01:40
30/10/1939 LC30 -28 01:40
31/10/1939 LC30 -28 01:45
31/10/1939 LC30 -28 01:45
05/11/1939 LC30 -28 01:10
05/11/1939 LC30 -28 00:45
16/12/1939 LC30 00:30

before end of October flights made SE of France (Bron, Tallard, Dijon) and the last in eastern France

Bertrand

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Leendert

Personally I feel that the French Army is a bit ahead of themselves.
There was no Army aviation as such during the 1930s. ALAT came post war.
The GAO/GAR units were all controlled by AA.
Since their job was Army observation, the Army must have had at least some control over them.

I believe that AA let the Army use the existing C.30 GAR/GAO units with their mix of both AA and
Army personal.
However I doubt there was any official transfer of any AA units to the Army.

As far as I know the Army never claimed any control over other GAR/GAO units, with aircraft far more
potent than the basically discarded LéO C.30.

Cheers
Stig

[Steve Coates]

Interesting thread - thanks.

[BrianC]

Hi guys

Yes, very interesting.

Leads me to ask - I believe the RAF had one or two Avro Rotas in France. Similar story?

Cheers
Brian

[Leendert]

Brian,

There was a RAF Commands thread dealing with Autogyros/Rotas in France here: https://forum.rafcommands.com/forum/...ight=Avro+Rota

Also, the Aeronavale appears to have used their autogyros for coastal surveillance (incl. mine search) from Feb. 1940 on in the Channel area, but the craft were pulled from service, forming too great an easy prey.

The Russians had their Kamov A-7 types, in Japan the Kayaba Ka-1 and Ka-2, the USA the Pitcairn OP-1, XOP-2 and Kellett KD-1 (Y/XO-60) and in Germany the Focke-Achgelis makes.
Also, the RAF tested the Pitcairn PA-39 with deck trials from the ship Empire Mersey in American waters in May 1942. They ordered some (BW828-834) but not sure if any ever made it across the ocean.

Especially the Russian and Japanese autogyros saw active service.

The RAF Rotas were extensively used in No. 529 Squadron for radar calibration duties across the country.

Leendert

[BrianC]

Oh dear!!

I see that I originated that RAF Commands enquiry some 15 years ago!!

Apologies
Brian