Lioré et Olivier LeO H-43
The Lioré et Olivier LeO H-43 was a reconnaissance seaplane produced in France in the 1930s.[1] It was a strut-braced, mid-wing monoplane of largely conventional design, provided with an observation balcony underneath the fuselage.[2] It was designed to be launched by catapult from warships and, after a first flight in 1934, trials were conducted on board Commandant Teste.
| LeO H-43 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Reconnaissance seaplane |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Lioré et Olivier |
| First flight | 4 December 1934 |
| Introduction | 13 July 1939 |
| Primary user | Aéronavale |
| Number built | 21 |
Development was prolonged and the prototype underwent much modification before an order for 20 machines was placed by the Aéronavale. Even after this, a major redesign to the forward fuselage was specified as part of the production order.[2] As a result, the first test flight of the production version did not take place until 13 July 1939, by which time the H-43 was already obsolete.[2][1]
The twenty examples purchased briefly equipped two squadrons from February 1940, but all were withdrawn with the Fall of France.
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: Three
- Length: 11.00 m (36 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 16.00 m (52 ft 6 in)
- Height: 3.85 m (12 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 36.0 m2 (387 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 1,760 kg (3,870 lb)
- Gross weight: 3,375 kg (7,425 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza 9Vb , 480 kW (650 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 222 km/h (139 mph, 121 kn)
- Range: 850 km (530 mi, 460 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 6,200 m (20,300 ft)
Armament
- 2 × machine guns
Notes
- Taylor 1989, 580
- World Aircraft Information Files, File 900 Sheet 08
References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing.