Transall C-160
Transall (Nord Aviation / HFB / VFW) · France · first flew 1963 · transport aircraft
The Transall C-160 is a medium-range twin-turboprop military transport developed jointly by France and Germany through the Transall consortium. With its high wing, rear loading ramp, and powerful Tyne turboprops it served as the tactical workhorse for both the French and German air forces.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Upswept rear fuselage with rear loading ramp |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin Rolls-Royce Tyne turboprops on high straight wing
- T-tail with high-set horizontal stabiliser
- Upswept rear fuselage with rear loading ramp
The twin Tyne turboprops with large four-blade propellers, high straight wing, T-tail, and upswept rear fuselage with loading ramp are definitive. Similar in layout to the Hercules but twin-engine and with a T-tail rather than conventional tail.
Specifications
- The Transall C-160 has a length of 32.4 m (106 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 40 m (131 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 593 km/h (368 mph).
- Typical crew: 4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1963 and entering service in 1967, the C-160 was produced in two batches totalling 214 aircraft. France ordered a second production run in the 1980s with updates including in-flight refuelling capability and improved avionics.
Variants
The C-160D served Germany, the C-160F France, and export versions went to South Africa (C-160Z), Turkey (C-160T), and Indonesia. The C-160NG (Nouvelle Génération) French aircraft featured an in-flight refuelling probe.
Where you'll see it
Served as the primary tactical transport of the French Air and Space Force and German Luftwaffe; France retired its last C-160s in 2023, ending over five decades of service. Germany retired theirs earlier.
Related aircraft
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