Loire 30
Loire Aviation · France · first flew 1932 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Loire 30, also known as the Loire 300, was a French three-seat night reconnaissance monoplane designed and built by Loire Aviation of St. Nazaire.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 3 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.7 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Cantilever high-wing monoplane
- Three radial engines strut-mounted above the wing
- Open gun positions in the nose and amidships
The pilot had an enclosed cockpit, with open cockpits at the nose and amidships fitted with pivot-mounted 7.7 mm machine guns. The Loire 301 was nicknamed la lessiveuse after its turret.
Specifications
- The Loire 30 has a length of 13.7 m (45 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 22.15 m (73 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 200 km/h (124 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was designed to meet a French Air Force requirement for a three-seat night reconnaissance aircraft. It was a cantilever high-wing monoplane powered by three 230 hp Salmson 9Ab radial engines mounted on struts above the wing.
Variants
The sole aircraft was later modified with a very large drum-shaped turret in the nose and redesignated Loire 301. The central engine was moved backwards and inverted to drive a pusher propeller.
Where you'll see it
Only one was produced, in 1932. It failed to gain an order and was relegated to experimental use.
Related aircraft
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