Couzinet 70 Arc-en-Ciel
René Couzinet · France · first flew 1932 · transport aircraft
The Couzinet 70 Arc-en-Ciel was a French long-range monoplane designed by René Couzinet for transatlantic mail and passenger service. It was among the most elegant and technically advanced French aircraft of the early 1930s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 3 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 16.15 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Three-engine French interwar monoplane
- Clean low-wing design for Atlantic crossings
- Distinctive triple-engine nose and wing arrangement
Identified by its clean low-wing monoplane form, three engines (one in the nose, two on the wings), and long, tapered wings designed for range.
Specifications
- The Couzinet 70 Arc-en-Ciel has a length of 16.15 m (53 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 30 m (98 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 280 km/h (174 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Arc-en-Ciel completed several celebrated South Atlantic crossings between France and South America, operated by the pioneering aviator Jean Mermoz of Aéropostale. Its sleek low-wing design and three powerful engines gave it the range for overwater flights that were considered extremely hazardous at the time. The aircraft became famous for pushing the boundaries of long-distance aviation.
Variants
The Couzinet 70 was preceded by the Couzinet 10 and followed by the Couzinet 71 and 300 series, each improving on range and payload.
Where you'll see it
Used by Aéropostale and later Air France for South Atlantic mail routes; celebrated for its transatlantic record attempts in the early 1930s.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.