Transall C-160F
Transall · France · first flew 1963 · transport aircraft
The Transall C-160F is the French Air Force variant of the Franco-German Transall C-160 twin-turboprop tactical transport.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 32.4 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-turboprop high-wing French military freighter
- T-tail with rear cargo ramp
- Same airframe as German C-160D
Visually identical to the German C-160D; distinguished only by markings and national insignia; the T-tail, high straight wing, and twin Tyne turboprops are the key recognition features.
Specifications
- The Transall C-160F 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
Sharing the same airframe as the German C-160D, the C-160F entered service with the Armée de l'Air in 1967. France later procured a second production batch, the C-160NG, with additional capabilities including an inflight-refuelling receiver.
Variants
The C-160F was supplemented by the improved C-160R (refurbished) and C-160NG variants; specialist GABRIEL SIGINT aircraft also operated.
Where you'll see it
The French Air Force operated C-160s from 1967 until 2024 when the last examples were retired, having served in conflicts across Africa and the Middle East.
Related aircraft
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