Besson MB.35 Passe Partout
Besson · France · first flew 1926 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Besson MB.35 Passe Partout was a French two-seat spotter and observation floatplane designed by Besson.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.3 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two-seat floatplane
- Wings fold for stowage in a submarine hangar
- Nine-cylinder Salmson radial engine in the nose
A small two-seat floatplane powered by a Salmson radial, with wings that fold to a width of 2.2 m for stowage in a submarine hangar.
Specifications
- The Besson MB.35 Passe Partout has a length of 7.3 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.85 m (32 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 160 km/h (99 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was intended to serve aboard Surcouf, a very large submarine for its day, stowed in a sealed hangar. It first flew in 1926 and two were built.
Variants
The second aircraft was converted to the MB.41, prototype of the Besson MB.411, which did serve on Surcouf.
Where you'll see it
The first aircraft was destroyed during trials, and the second was converted into the MB.41. The French Navy was the operator.
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