Breguet Br.521 Bizerte
Breguet Aviation · France · first flew 1933 · transport aircraft
The Breguet 521 Bizerte was a large three-engine biplane flying boat operated by the French Navy for long-range maritime patrol and reconnaissance throughout the 1930s and into the early years of the Second World War. It was the principal French naval patrol flying boat of its era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 3 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 20.45 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Large three-engine French maritime flying boat of the 1930s
- Biplane flying boat with strut-braced parasol upper wing
- Named for the Tunisian port of Bizerte, reflecting French colonial naval reach
A large biplane flying boat distinguished by its three radial engines mounted on the upper wing, a deep boat hull with a prominent step, and the characteristic thick struts of 1930s French naval architecture.
Specifications
- The Breguet Br.521 Bizerte has a length of 20.45 m (67 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 35.14 m (115 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 243 km/h (151 mph).
- Typical crew: 8.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Bizerte was derived from the British Short Calcutta and developed under licence, evolving into a distinctly French design. It entered French Aéronavale service in 1935 and equipped several escadrilles based in metropolitan France, North Africa, and other French overseas territories. The aircraft saw service during the Fall of France in 1940 before the fleet was progressively grounded or surrendered.
Variants
The Br.521 was the main production form; small numbers of a slightly modified Br.522 variant were also built.
Where you'll see it
Operated exclusively by the French Navy (Aéronavale) from bases in France, Tunisia, and West Africa.
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