France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

 has used many military aircraft both in its air force, the Armée de l'Air, and other branches of its armed forces. Numerous aircraft were designed and built in France, but many aircraft from elsewhere, or part of joint ventures have been used as well. Lighter-than-air aircraft such as dirigibles and balloons found use starting in the 19th century used mainly for observation. The advent of World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

 saw an explosion in the number France's aircraft, though development slowed after. While having many promising designs in development in the 1930s, government wrangling delayed development enough there was little available at the out break of World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

. The armistice in 1940

Armistice with France (Second Compiègne)

The Second Armistice at Compiègne was signed at 18:50 on 22 June 1940 near Compiègne, in the department of Oise, between Nazi Germany and France...

 marked a low point, with Vichy France

Vichy France

Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...

 being allowed only reduced numbers and development halting. Many French aircraft were captured and used by the Third Reich and its allies. Some aircraft that did escape served with the Allies or Free French forces, who also used many other types of allied aircraft. The cold-war saw the continued use of many other Western aircraft, mainly from the U.S.

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, during a period of rebuilding of the aviation industry and under threat of war with the Soviet Union

Soviet Union

The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....

. Many new types would come into service including the very successful Mirage

Mirage (aircraft)

Mirage is the name of a series of delta-winged fighters and bombers that have been produced by the French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation, flown by the French Air Force, and widely exported to foreign counties.* Dassault Mirage III...

 series or the latest design, the Rafale.

To the end of World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

 

• Blériot XI
  Blériot XI
  The Blériot XI is the aircraft in which, on 25 July 1909, Louis Blériot made the first flight across the English Channel made in a heavier-than-air aircraft . This achievement is one of the most famous accomplishments of the early years of aviation, and not only won Blériot a lasting place in...
  
  
• Breguet 4
• Breguet 5
• Breguet 14
  Breguet 14
  -See also:-References:*Tomasz J. Kowalski, Samolot Breguet 14, TBiU no.197, Warsaw 2002, ISBN 83-11-09461-6...
  
  
• Caudron G.3
  Caudron G.3
  The Caudron G.3 was a single-engined French biplane built by Caudron, widely used in World War I as a reconnaissance aircraft and trainer. In comparison to its competitors, it had a better rate of climb and it was considered especially suitable in mountainous terrain.-Development:The Caudron G.3...
  
  
• Caudron G.4
  Caudron G.4
  |-References:*Donald, David . The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Leicester, UK: Blitz Editions, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.* Kalevi Keskinen, Kyösti Partonen, Kari Stenman: Suomen Ilmavoimat I 1918-27, 2005. ISBN 952-99432-2-9....
  
  
• Caudron R.4
• Caudron R.11
• Dorand AR
  Dorand AR
  - References :* Munson, Kenneth - Bombers, Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft 1914 - 1919 ISBN 0-7537-0918-X-See also:...
  
  -series
• Hanriot HD.1
  Hanriot HD.1
  |-References:* Bruce, J.M. The Hanriot HD 1 Leatherhead: Profile Publications* Cheesman E.F. Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War Letchworth, Harletford Publications, 1960 pp. 82-83- External links :*...
  
  
• Farman MF.7
  Farman MF.7
  |-See also:-External links:* Contemporary technical description of the MF.7 with photographs and drawings....
  
  
• Farman MF.11
  Farman MF.11
  |-See also:-External links:* * *...
  
  
• Farman HF.20
• Farman F.50
• Morane-Saulnier L
• Morane-Saulnier N
• Morane-Saulnier P
• Nieuport 11
  Nieuport 11
  |-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Angelucci, Enzio, ed. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. New York: The Military Press, 1983. ISBN 0-517-41021-4....
  
  
• Nieuport 12
  Nieuport 12
  |-See also:...
  
  
• Nieuport 16
• Nieuport 17
  Nieuport 17
  |-Specifications :-See also:-Bibliography:* Bruce, Jack. "Those Classic Nieuports". Air Enthusiast Quarterly. Number Two, 1976. Bromley, UK:Pilot Press. pp. 137–153....
  
  
• Nieuport 24
• Nieuport 27
• Nieuport 28
  Nieuport 28
  |-See also:-Bibliography:* Cheesman E.F. Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Letchworth, UK: Harleyford Publications, 1960, pp. 98–99....
  
  
• Salmson 2
  Salmson 2
  |-References:* Davilla, James J., & Soltan, Arthur M., French Aircraft of the First World War. Stratford, Connecticut: Flying Machines Press, 1997. ISBN 0-9637110-4-0...
  
  
• Sopwith 1½ Strutter
  Sopwith 1½ Strutter
  The Sopwith 1½ Strutter was a British one or two-seat biplane multi-role aircraft of the First World War. It is significant as the first British-designed two seater tractor fighter, and the first British aircraft to enter service with a synchronised machine gun...
  
  
• SPAD VII
• SPAD XI
• SPAD XII
• SPAD XIII
• Voisin 3
• Voisin 5
• Voisin 8
• Voisin 10

After World War II

• Aérospatiale Dauphin
  Aérospatiale Dauphin
  The Aérospatiale SA 360 Dauphin was a single-engine French utility helicopter developed as a replacement for Aérospatiale's Alouette III and was to be called the "Business Alouette", in the early 1970s and to fill a gap in the company's product line in the six to ten-seat helicopter category...
  
  
• Aérospatiale TB-30 Epsilon
  Aérospatiale Epsilon
  |-See also:...
  
  
• Aérospatiale Super Frelon
  Aérospatiale Super Frelon
  The Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon is a three-engined heavy transport helicopter produced by Aérospatiale of France. The helicopter is still in use in China where the locally produced version is known as the Z-8. "Frelon" is French for hornet....
  
  
• Agusta-Bell 47
  Bell 47
  The Bell 47 is a two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. Based on the third Model 30 prototype, Bell's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young, the Bell 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use on 8 March 1946...
  
  
• Airbus A310
  Airbus A310
  The Airbus A310 is a medium- to long-range twin-engine widebody jet airliner. Launched in July 1978, it was the second aircraft created by Airbus Industrie,a consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. the consortium of...
  
  
• Airbus A319
• Airbus A340
  Airbus A340
  The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engine wide-body commercial passenger jet airliner. Developed by Airbus Industrie,A consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. a consortium of European aerospace companies, which is...
  
  
• Bell 47
  Bell 47
  The Bell 47 is a two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. Based on the third Model 30 prototype, Bell's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young, the Bell 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use on 8 March 1946...
  
  
• Boeing C-135F
• Boeing E-3F Sentry
  E-3 Sentry
  The Boeing E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system developed by Boeing as the prime contractor. Derived from the Boeing 707, it provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, and is used by the United States Air Force , NATO, Royal Air Force , French Air Force...
  
  
• Breguet 941S
• Breguet Alizé
  Breguet Alizé
  |-See also:-References:*Michell, Simon. . Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994-95. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 1994. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.-External links:*...
  
  
• Breguet Atlantique
  Breguet Atlantique
  The Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic is a long-range reconnaissance aircraft, primarily designed for use over the sea. It is used in several NATO countries as a reconnaissance and patrol aircraft as well as anti-submarine aircraft. The Atlantic is also capable of carrying air-to-ground missiles...
  
  
• CASA Aviocar
  CASA C.212 Aviocar
  The CASA C-212 Aviocar is a turboprop-powered STOL medium transport aircraft designed and built in Spain for civil and military use. C-212s are also produced under licence in Indonesia by Indonesian Aerospace, formerly called IPTN but now known as IAe...
  
  
• CASA CN-235M
  CASA CN-235
  The CASA/IPTN CN-235 is a medium-range twin-engined transport plane that was jointly developed by CASA of Spain and IPTN of Indonesia as a regional airliner and military transport. Its primary military roles include maritime patrol, surveillance, and air transport...
  
  
• Cessna 310
  Cessna 310
  The Cessna 310 is an American six-seat, low-wing, twin-engined monoplane that was produced by Cessna between 1954 and 1980. It was the first twin-engined aircraft that Cessna put into production after World War II.-Development:...
  
  
• Cessna 411
• Cessna F406 Caravan II
  Cessna 406
  |-See also:-References:*Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Defence Data, 1988. ISBN 01706-0867-5.* -External links:* *...
  
  
• Cessna O-1 Bird Dog
• Chance-Vought F-8 Crusader
  F-8 Crusader
  The Vought F-8 Crusader was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass...
  
  
• Dassault Étendard
  Dassault Étendard
  French aircraft manufacturer Dassault used the name Étendard for a family of related aircraft projects beginning in the late 1950s...
  
  
• Dassault Super Étendard
  Dassault Super Étendard
  The Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard is a French carrier-borne strike fighter aircraft designed for service with the French Navy...
  
  
• Dassault Falcon 10
  Dassault Falcon 10
  |-See also:-References:*...
  
  
• Dassault Falcon 20
  Dassault Falcon 20
  The Dassault Falcon 20 is a French business jet and was the first of a family of business jets built by Dassault Aviation.-Design and development:...
  
  
• Dassault Falcon 50
  Dassault Falcon 50
  |-See also:-References:* Taylor, John W R. . Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK:Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.-External links:* *...
  
  
• Dassault Falcon 900
• Dassault Flamant
  Dassault MD 315 Flamant
  |-See also:-References:NotesBibliography*Bridgman, Leonard Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1953-54. London:Jane's, 1953....
  
  
• Dassault Mirage 5
  Dassault Mirage 5
  The Dassault Mirage 5 is a supersonic attack aircraft designed in France by Dassault Aviation during the 1960s, and manufactured in France and a number of other countries. It was derived from Dassault's popular Mirage III fighter, and spawned several variants of its own.-Early development:The...
  
  
• Dassault Mirage III
  Dassault Mirage III
  The Mirage III is a supersonic fighter aircraft designed by Dassault Aviation during the late 1950s, and manufactured both in France and a number of other countries. It was a successful fighter aircraft, being sold to many air forces around the world and remaining in production for over a decade...
  
  
• Dassault Mirage IV
  Dassault Mirage IV
  The Dassault Mirage IV was a French jet-propelled supersonic strategic bomber and deep-reconnaissance aircraft. For many years it was a vital part of the nuclear triad of the Force de Frappe, France's nuclear deterrent striking force.-Development:...
  
  
• Dassault Mirage F1
  Dassault Mirage F1
  The Dassault Mirage F1 is a French air-superiority fighter and attack aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation as a successor of the Mirage III family. The Mirage F1 entered service in the French Air Force in the early seventies...
  
  
• Dassault Mirage 2000
• Dassault Mystère
• Dassault Mystère IV
  Dassault Mystère IV
  |-See also:-External links:*...
  
  
• Dassault Super Mystère
  Dassault Super Mystère
  |-See also:-References: http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/el_salvador/El_Salvador-af-EscCazaBomb.htm...
  
  
• Ouragan
  Dassault Ouragan
  The Dassault M.D.450 Ouragan was the first French-designed jet fighter-bomber to enter production, playing a key role in resurgence of the French aviation industry after World War II. The Ouragan was operated by France, Israel, India and El Salvador...
  
  
• Dassault Rafale
  Dassault Rafale
  The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine delta-wing multi-role jet fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Introduced in 2000, the Rafale is being produced both for land-based use with the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations with the French Navy...
  
  
• Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet
• de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
  De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
  The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
  
  
• Douglas C-47
  C-47 Skytrain
  The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
  
  
• Douglas DC-6
  Douglas DC-6
  The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range...
  
  
• Douglas DC-8
  Douglas DC-8
  The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
  
  
• Douglas AD4 Skyraider
  A-1 Skyraider
  The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the late 1940s and early 1980s. It became a piston-powered, propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, and was nicknamed "Spad", after a French World War I fighter...
  
  
• Douglas SBD Dauntless
• Embraer Xingu
  Embraer EMB 121 Xingú
  |-See also:-References:* * Endres, Gunter and Gething, Mike. . Aircraft Recognition Guide, . New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0-00-713721-4....
  
  
• English Electric Canberra
  English Electric Canberra
  The English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft in 1957...
  
  
• Eurocopter Cougar
  Eurocopter Cougar
  -See also:-External links:* *...
  
  
• Eurocopter Panther
• Fouga Magister
  Fouga Magister
  The Fouga Magister is a 1950s French two-seat jet trainer. The related CM.175 Zéphyr was a carrier-capable version for the French Navy....
  
  
• Fouga Zephyr
  Fouga Zéphyr
  |-See also:-References:* Kopenhagen, W., ed. Das große Flugzeug-Typenbuch. Stuttgart, Germany: Transpress, 1987. ISBN 3-344-00162-0.* Jackson, Paul A, French Military Aviation Leicester, England: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0 904597 17 2....
  
  
• Gloster Meteor
  Gloster Meteor
  The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
  
  
• Grumman E-2C Hawkeye
  E-2 Hawkeye
  The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the...
  
  
• Grumman F6F Hellcat
• Grumman TBF Avenger
• Lockheed T-33
  T-33 Shooting Star
  The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948, piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the...
  
  
• Lockheed SP-2H Neptune
  P-2 Neptune
  The Lockheed P-2 Neptune was a Maritime patrol and ASW aircraft. It was developed for the United States Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon, and being replaced in turn with the Lockheed P-3 Orion...
  
  
• Lockheed C-130H Hercules
  C-130 Hercules
  The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
  
  
• Martin P5M Marlin
• Max Holste Broussard
  Max Holste Broussard
  |- See also :...
  
  
• Morane-Saulnier MS-760 "Paris"
• Mudry CAP 10
  Mudry CAP 10
  -See also:-References:*Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Defence Data, 1988. ISBN 01706-0867-5....
  
  
• Mudry CAP 20
  Mudry CAP 20
  -See also:...
  
  
• Nord Noratlas
  Nord Noratlas
  The Nord Noratlas was a 1950s French military transport aircraft intended to replace the older types in service at the end of World War II. Several hundred were produced in a run lasting over a decade, finding a wide variety of uses.-Development:...
  
  
• Nord 1101
• Nord 260
• Nord 262
• Nord 3202
  Nord 3202
  |-References:*...
  
  
• Nord 3400
  Nord 3400
  |-See also:-External links:*...
  
  
• North American Aviation
  North American Aviation
  North American Aviation was a major US aerospace manufacturer, responsible for a number of historic aircraft, including the T-6 Texan trainer, the P-51 Mustang fighter, the B-25 Mitchell bomber, the F-86 Sabre jet fighter, the X-15 rocket plane, and the XB-70, as well as Apollo Command and Service...
  
   F-100 Super Sabre
  F-100 Super Sabre
  The North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
  
  
• Piper PA-18 Super Cub
• Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer
• Piper PA-23 Aztec
• Piper PA-31 Navajo
• Republic Aviation P-47 Thunderbolt
  P-47 Thunderbolt
  Republic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to...
  
  
• SOCATA TBM-700
  Socata TBM
  |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0 7106 2537 5....
  
  
• SEPECAT Jaguar
  SEPECAT Jaguar
  The SEPECAT Jaguar is an Anglo-French jet ground attack aircraft, originally used by the British Royal Air Force and the French Armée de l'Air in the close air support and nuclear strike role, and still in service with several export customers, notably the Indian Air Force and the Royal Air Force...
  
  
• Sikorsky H-34
• Sud Alouette
  SNCASE Alouette
  |-References:* *...
  
  
• Sud Aviation Caravelle
  Sud Aviation Caravelle
  The Sud Aviation SE 210 Caravelle was the first short/medium-range jet airliner produced by the French Sud Aviation firm starting in 1955 . The Caravelle was one of the more successful European first generation jetliners, selling throughout Europe and even penetrating the United States market, with...
  
  
• Sud Gazelle
  Aérospatiale Gazelle
  The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat light helicopter, powered by a single turbine engine. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation . It was also manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom , by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt...
  
  
• Sud Puma
  Aérospatiale Puma
  The Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utility helicopter. The Puma was originally manufactured by Sud Aviation of France.-Development:...
  
  
• Sud Vautour
  Sud Aviation Vautour
  |-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. Fighters of the Fifties. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1981. ISBN 0-85059-463-4.-External links:*...
  
  
• Sud-Ouest Bretagne
  Sud-Ouest Bretagne
  |-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Bridgeman, Leonard. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1953–54. London: Jane's All The World's Aircraft Publishing Company, 1953....
  
  
• Transall C.160
• Vought F4U Corsair
• Westland Lynx
  Westland Lynx
  The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...