Caudron C.440 Goéland
Caudron · France · first flew 1934 · transport aircraft
The Caudron C.440 Goéland (Seagull) was a French twin-engine light transport and liaison aircraft widely used in the late 1930s and through World War II. Its clean aerodynamics and retractable undercarriage gave it good performance for its era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine French inter-war light transport
- Retractable undercarriage and clean monoplane lines
- Six-seat cabin with rounded nose and glazed cockpit
The Goéland is identified by its twin Renault or Régnier inline engines in pointed cowlings, low-mounted tapered wings, retractable undercarriage, and a rounded glazed cockpit nose characteristic of French inter-war design.
Specifications
- The Caudron C.440 Goéland has a length of 11 m (36 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17.6 m (58 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 300 km/h (186 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 + 4–6 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1934, the Goéland served with Air France and other French operators. After the fall of France in 1940, both the Vichy French and German Luftwaffe pressed surviving examples into service. Post-liberation, it continued with French civil and military operators.
Variants
Several marks existed with minor engine and equipment variations. The basic C.440 series spanned models 440 through 445, differing in engine fit and interior configuration.
Where you'll see it
Used by Air France pre-war, then by Vichy and German forces during occupation. Post-liberation French operators flew the type into the late 1940s. The Goéland served as transport, liaison, and light cargo aircraft across multiple operators.
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