Nord N 2501 Noratlas

Nord Aviation · France · first flew 1949 · transport aircraft

The Nord N 2501 Noratlas is a French twin-boom military transport with a central cargo pod, similar in concept to the American C-119 Flying Boxcar. It served the French and German air forces as a paratroop and cargo transport through the 1950s and 1960s.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	21.95 m fuselage
T — Tail	Twin fin

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Spot it by:

Twin-boom transport with central cargo pod
Twin Bristol Hercules radials
Open rear of central pod for direct loading

The twin-boom layout with central cargo pod, high-set straight wing with two large radials, and box-section cargo fuselage are characteristic. Distinguished from the C-119 by the more angular French design and different nose profile.

Specifications

The Nord N 2501 Noratlas has a length of 21.95 m (72 ft).
It has a wingspan of 32.48 m (107 ft).
Its maximum speed is 440 km/h (273 mph).
Typical crew: 4.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1949, the Noratlas entered French service in 1953 and was also licence-built in Germany by HFB and VFW for the Luftwaffe. It saw operational service during French colonial conflicts in Algeria and Indochina.

Variants

The main variants are the N 2501 (French Air Force) and N 2502/N 2504 (German Luftwaffe) with minor equipment differences; Israel also acquired a small number.

Where you'll see it

Served with the French Air Force, German Luftwaffe, Israeli Air Force, and Portuguese Air Force; France retired its examples by the early 1970s.

Related aircraft

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