The Loire 46 was a French single-seater fighter aircraft of the 1930s. A high-winged monoplane designed and built by Loire Aviation, it was purchased by the French Air Force. It was also supplied to the Spanish Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War, but was almost out of service by the outbreak of World War II.
Design and development The Loire 46 was an improved modification of two previous Loire fighters—the Loire 43 and 45. Although improved, it resembled the earlier machines retaining their gull mono-wing configuration, open cockpit, and fixed landing gear. The first of five prototype Loire 46s flew in September 1934. It demonstrated excellent handling characteristics and 60 production aircraft were ordered by the Armée de l'Air.
Operational history The initial machines arrived at fighter Escadrilles in August 1936. In September 1936, the five prototype Loire 46s were sent to the Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War.Taylor and Alexander 1969, pp. 106–107.
By the beginning of World War II, the Loire 46's gull wing configuration was recognized as obsolete and most of these fighters had been relegated to Armée de l'Air training schools, where they were used as advanced trainers. However, one fighter Escadrille was still equipped with the Loire 46 during the early weeks of the war. Their performance against modern German fighters was predictable.
Variants Loire 46.01 First Loire 46 prototype. Loire 46 Single-seat fighter/trainer aircraft.
Operators
Armee de l'Air
Spanish Republican Air Force
Specifications (Loire 46)
See also Comparable and similar aircraft PZL P.11/PZL P.24 Dewoitine D.371/D372 Gourdou-Leseurre GL.30 Nieuport-Delage NiD-122 Curtiss F13C
References
Bibliography
External links