Potez 62

Potez 62 was a French twin-engine civil airliner, designed by Henry Potez in 1934.

Potez 62
Role Civil airliner
Manufacturer Potez
Designer Henry Potez
First flight January 28, 1935
Developed from Potez 54
Variants Potez 650

History

The prototype of the Potez 62 made its maiden flight on January 28 1935. The aircraft had been developed from the Potez 54 bomber and was constructed as a high-wing monoplane.

The wooden fuselage had a composite coating, whereas the wings were covered with fabric and the leading edge was made out of metal. The aircraft was propelled by two Gnôme & Rhône radial engines whose 14 cylinders produced some 870 hp. The engines were mounted in two side cradles, fixed to the fuselage and to the wings.

The cabin was divided into two compartments and could accommodate 14 to 16 people. A version equipped with Hispano-Suiza V-engines was ordered by Air France in 1936. These were used on routes inside South America. By late 1936, many Potez 62s were employed on routes to Europe and the Far East, as the aircraft was robust and reliable, albeit slow. It remained in service until the Second World War, and one was used by the Free French Air Force.

Variants
Potez 620
Twin-engined civil airliner, powered by 1x 870 horsepower (650 kW) Gnome-Rhône 14Kirs Mistral Major + 1x 870 horsepower (650 kW) Gnome-Rhône 14Kjrs Mistral Major radial engines (LH & RH rotation). Also designated Potez 62-0.[1]
Potez 621
Improved version of the Potez 62, powered by 1x 720 horsepower (540 kW) Hispano-Suiza 12Xirs + 1x 720 horsepower (540 kW) Hispano-Suiza 12Xijrs liquid-cooled V12 engines (LH & RH rotation). Also designated Potez 62-1.[2]

Operators
1936 Air France ad for service with Potez 62
 France
 Romania
 Uruguay

Specifications (Potez 620)

Data from Aviafrance : Potez 620World Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Capacity: 14-16 passengers
  • Length: 17.32 m (56 ft 10 in)
  • Wingspan: 22.45 m (73 ft 8 in)
  • Height: 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 76.1 m2 (819 sq ft) [4]
  • Empty weight: 4,000 kg (8,818 lb) [4]
  • Gross weight: 7,500 kg (16,535 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Gnome-Rhône 14Kirs Mistral Major 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 610 kW (820 hp) LH rotation fited to starboard
  • Powerplant: 1 × Gnome-Rhône 14Kjrs Mistral Major 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 610 kW (820 hp) RH rotation fited to port
  • Propellers: 3-bladed variable-pitch metal propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 325 km/h (202 mph, 175 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn) at 2,000 m (6,562 ft)
  • Range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 7,400 m (24,300 ft)

See also

References
  1. Stroud 1966, pp. 183–184
  2. Stroud 1966, p. 184
  3. Angelucci 1984, p. 218.
  4. Flight 21 March 1935, p.304.

Further reading
  • Angelucci, Enzo (1986). World encyclopedia of civil aircraft (1st ed.). London: Willow Books. ISBN 0-00-218148-7.
  • Stroud, John (1966). European Transport Aircraft since 1910. London: Putnam.
  • "For Air France: The Potez 62: Cruising Speed of 175 mph with Fourteen Passengers". Flight, 21 March 1935, p. 304.[1]
  1. "For Air France: The Potez 62: Cruising Speed of 175 mph with Fourteen Passengers". Flight: 304. 21 March 1935.
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