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| A French Air Force Nord Noratlas in flight | |
| Role | Military Transport |
|---|---|
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Nord Aviation |
| First flight | 10 September 1949 |
| Introduction | 6 December 1953 |
| Retired | 1989 (France) |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users | France Germany Greece Israel |
| Produced | 1949-1961 |
| Number built | 425 |
Development commenced during the late 1940s with the aim of producing a suitable aircraft to replace the numerous older types that were in service with the Armée de l'Air (French Air Force) which dated back to the Second World War. In response to a competition organised by the Direction Technique Industrielle (DTI), Nord produced their Nord 2500 proposal, which was selected as the most promising. Experiences with the first prototype, powered by Gnome-Rhône 14R engines, did not impress, thus the design was revised as the Nord 2501, powered by the SNECMA-built Bristol Hercules 738/9 engines instead, which was found acceptable. Accordingly, the Noratlas was introduced to service by the Armée de l'Air on 6 December 1953The Nord Noratlas was a dedicated military transport aircraft, developed and manufactured by French aircraft manufacturer Nord Aviation.
The Nord Noratlas was a purpose-built twin-engine, twin-boom transport aircraft. It featured a large pod-like fuselage that was slung in between the aircraft's twin booms and indirectly attached to them via its shoulder-mounted wing.[1] The Noratlas was deliberately designed to be operated under austere conditions, featuring widely spaced landing gear, complete with wide low-pressure tyres, for additional stability and suitability to moving over rough terrain, while the propellers had sufficient clearance to accommodate such operations as well. It was powered by a pair of SNECMA-built Bristol Hercules 738/9 engines, each of which being capable of producing 2,040 hp (1,520 kW) and driving a four-bladed Rotol propeller
The sizable cabin of the Noratlas was capable of accommodating up to 7.5 short tons (6.8 t) of freight or a maximum of 40 passengers; when flown at a cruising speed of 200 mph (320 km/h), it could transport a 6-ton payload over a range of up to 750 miles (1,210 km). Cargo was typically loaded into and unloaded from the main cabin via the rear-facing clamshell doors, which were intentionally positioned close to ground level to ease freight handling
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Ceiling
MAX RANGE
Aircraft Speed
Max Crew
The Noratlas had been able to attain particular recognition and notoriety amongst the general public as a consequence of its use during the Suez Crisis of 1956.
During its service life with the Armée de l'Air, the Noratlas operated in it cargo-carrying role;
On occasion of the Hamburg Airport Days 2015 the world's last flying Noratlas paid a visit to the airport from 21st August to 23rd August 2015.
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