Levasseur PL.7
Pierre Levasseur · France · first flew 1928 · bomber
The Levasseur PL.7 was a French carrier-borne torpedo bomber biplane of the late 1920s, designed to operate from the Béarn, France's first aircraft carrier.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.68 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- single-engine carrier-based torpedo biplane
- large fixed main undercarriage with central float option
- high-set upper wing with cabane struts
The PL.7's high-mounted upper wing and cabane-strut arrangement, combined with the substantial fixed undercarriage designed for carrier deck use, typify late-1920s French naval biplanes. The large underfuselage recess for torpedo carriage is a key distinguishing feature.
Specifications
- The Levasseur PL.7 has a length of 11.68 m (38 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.5 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 170 km/h (106 mph).
- Typical crew: 2-3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Pierre Levasseur developed a series of torpedo biplanes for the Aéronavale in the late 1920s. The PL.7 formed part of this family, offering the Béarn's air group a dedicated torpedo attack capability alongside reconnaissance types. Like its contemporaries, it had provision for a central float for water landing if the carrier was unavailable.
Variants
The PL.7 was related to the PL.4 and PL.101 in the Levasseur naval torpedo-bomber family. Differences were largely in engine fitment and torpedo-carriage arrangements.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the French Aéronavale from the carrier Béarn in the early 1930s, replacing earlier torpedo types until more modern monoplanes became available.
Related aircraft
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