Potez 630
Potez · France · first flew 1936 · fighter
The Potez 630 was a French twin-engine heavy fighter (Chasseur de Croisière) of the late 1930s, designed to escort bombers and conduct long-range interceptions. It was one of the most capable French aircraft at the outbreak of World War II but was available in insufficient numbers.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.07 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine French interwar heavy fighter with twin-fin tail
- Elegantly tapered mid-wing with oval engine nacelles
- Glazed nose section for observer/gunner
Identify by the twin engines in oval nacelles, twin-fin tail, mid-wing with elegant taper, and the glazed nose accommodating the observer. The twin-engine layout and twin fins distinguish it from single-engine French fighters of the period.
Specifications
- The Potez 630 has a length of 11.07 m (36 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16 m (52 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 432 km/h (268 mph).
- Typical crew: 2–3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1936, the Potez 630 and its variants saw combat during the Battle of France in 1940, flying fighter, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions. After the armistice, Vichy French examples continued in service in North Africa.
Variants
The family includes the Potez 630 (Hispano-Suiza engines), Potez 631 (Gnome-Rhône 14M engines, the most produced), and specialist Potez 637 (reconnaissance) and Potez 633 (light bomber) variants.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Armée de l'Air and Aéronavale; Vichy French examples saw action in Syria and North Africa against Allied forces after 1940.
Related aircraft
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