Wibault 280
Wibault · France · first flew 1930 · airliner
The Wibault 280-T was an all-metal trimotor monoplane airliner, seating up to 12 passengers in its largest variant.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 3 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 17 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- All-metal cantilever low-wing monoplane with three radial engines
- Central engine in the nose, with the other two in wing-mounted cowlings
- Tailwheel undercarriage and a conventional fin, rudder and adjustable stabiliser
A low-wing trimotor with one engine in the nose and two on the wings, a boxy fuselage with a large window beside every seat, and a tail skid.
Specifications
- The Wibault 280 has a length of 17 m (56 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 22.61 m (74 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 251 km/h (156 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Development was financed by the Penhoet shipyards of St Nazaire, so it was also called the Penhoet Wibault. The prototype first flew from Villacoublay in November 1930 with three Hispano-Wright 9Qa radials, soon replaced by Gnome-Rhone engines.
Variants
The prototype became the 281-T and then the 282-T. Production aircraft included the 10-passenger 282 with cowled Gnome-Rhone 7Kd engines, and the 283-T for Air France with NACA cowlings, more fuel and a modified tail.
Where you'll see it
Six 282s were built new, with two converted prototypes. Some were flown by Air Union on the Paris to London Voile dOr service in 1933, and in 1934 Air France received ten 283-Ts.
Related aircraft
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