Latécoère 611
Latécoère · France · first flew 1939 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Latécoère 611 was a French four-engined maritime reconnaissance flying boat of the Second World War. Only a single prototype was completed.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 27.06 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large four-engined flying boat with a cantilever high wing
- Twin tail surfaces
- Stabilising floats that retract into the outer engine nacelles
A big high-winged flying boat with four radial engines, a twin tail and wing floats that fold into the outer nacelles.
Specifications
- The Latécoère 611 has a length of 27.06 m (89 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 40.56 m (133 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 349 km/h (217 mph).
- Typical crew: 7.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
In May 1935 the French Navy issued a specification for a long-range flying boat to replace the Breguet 521. Latécoère answered with a cantilever monoplane powered by four Gnome-Rhône 14N radial engines and fitted with a twin tail. The prototype first flew on 8 March 1939.
Variants
The Latécoère 610 was a design study with Hispano-Suiza engines. In December 1939 the Navy ordered twelve of the Latécoère 612, to be powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engines, but none were delivered.
Where you'll see it
The prototype, named Achernar, was delivered to the French Navy on 12 April 1940. It served the Vichy French navy from October 1941 and then the Free French on anti-submarine patrols over the South Atlantic. It was retired from service as a transport in 1947.
Related aircraft
- Latécoère 299
- Latécoère 570
- Latécoère 523
- Latécoère 298
- Aichi E13A
- Beriev MBR-7
- Breda Ba.75
- Bréguet 790 Nautilus
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 8,606 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.