Dewoitine D.33
Encyclopedia
The Dewoitine D.33 was a single-engine low-wing monoplane
aircraft built by the Dewoitine
Company. It is remembered for setting a long-distance record on its first flight in 1930.
Little is documented on the specifics and the basic model of the D.33, other than the fact that it had a fixed undercarriage
, and was a low-wing cantilever monoplane. There were three documented variations to the model, each of which was designed as a separate aircraft. This line of aircraft were regarded highly commercially before World War II
, and they were influential in the establishment of the Dewoitine Company.
was developed based on the original D.33. A single-spar
cantilever low-wing monoplane, the D.332 had fundamental resemblances to the original design. Able to hold a total of eight passengers, the D.332 had a small, enclosed cockpit
, with an aerodynamic design and a rigid undercarriage. It was constructed purely from metal, and was built approximately three years after the original D.33 model, in 1933.
The D.332 proved successful, ultimately achieving a best speed of over 250 km/h (155 mph), and during the initial tests, where it was flown by test pilot Marcel Doret, the D.332 prototype successfully flew from Paris
to Saigon. It did, however, crash on the return flight from Saigon, on 15 January 1935.
; however, two of the three planes bought by the latter crashed while flying the distance between Toulouse
and Dakar
.
The D.338 was the first truly successful model in the line, and became widely used by Air France, first for flights within Europe
, and later for international flights, between France and various parts of Asia
. A total of 31 D.338s were purchased by Air France, and they were used into World War II, where they were employed as troop transporters. Following their use in the War, only eight aircraft survived. However, despite this, the basic model was still used for years, until more recent builds were designed.
Monoplane
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with one main set of wing surfaces, in contrast to a biplane or triplane. Since the late 1930s it has been the most common form for a fixed wing aircraft.-Types of monoplane:...
aircraft built by the Dewoitine
Dewoitine
Constructions Aéronautiques Émile Dewoitine was a French aircraft manufacturer established by Émile Dewoitine at Toulouse in October 1920. The company's initial products were a range of metal parasol-wing fighters which were largely ignored by the French Air Force but purchased in large quantities...
Company. It is remembered for setting a long-distance record on its first flight in 1930.
Little is documented on the specifics and the basic model of the D.33, other than the fact that it had a fixed undercarriage
Undercarriage
The undercarriage or landing gear in aviation, is the structure that supports an aircraft on the ground and allows it to taxi, takeoff and land...
, and was a low-wing cantilever monoplane. There were three documented variations to the model, each of which was designed as a separate aircraft. This line of aircraft were regarded highly commercially before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and they were influential in the establishment of the Dewoitine Company.
D.332
The D.332Dewoitine D.332
-External links:* excellent photo of D.332 in flight top pp. 866...
was developed based on the original D.33. A single-spar
Spar (aviation)
In a fixed-wing aircraft, the spar is often the main structural member of the wing, running spanwise at right angles to the fuselage. The spar carries flight loads and the weight of the wings whilst on the ground...
cantilever low-wing monoplane, the D.332 had fundamental resemblances to the original design. Able to hold a total of eight passengers, the D.332 had a small, enclosed cockpit
Cockpit
A cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft. Most modern cockpits are enclosed, except on some small aircraft, and cockpits on large airliners are also physically separated from the cabin...
, with an aerodynamic design and a rigid undercarriage. It was constructed purely from metal, and was built approximately three years after the original D.33 model, in 1933.
The D.332 proved successful, ultimately achieving a best speed of over 250 km/h (155 mph), and during the initial tests, where it was flown by test pilot Marcel Doret, the D.332 prototype successfully flew from Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to Saigon. It did, however, crash on the return flight from Saigon, on 15 January 1935.
D.333
In 1934, the D.333 was designed, built and flown for the first time. It was different from its predecessors in that it was constructed with a more spacious cabin, and could hold a maximum of 10 passengers. The primary buyer of this model was Air FranceAir France
Air France , stylised as AIRFRANCE, is the French flag carrier headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance...
; however, two of the three planes bought by the latter crashed while flying the distance between Toulouse
Toulouse
Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
and Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
.
D.338
1935-6 saw the drafting and prototype of the D.338. This new model was built with retractable undercarriages, and could carry 22 passengers over a maximum of around 1,950 km (1,210 mi). Fitted with 485 kW (650 hp) Hispano-Suiza V16/17 engines, the D.338 could travel at a speed of up to 260 km/h (160 mph).The D.338 was the first truly successful model in the line, and became widely used by Air France, first for flights within Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and later for international flights, between France and various parts of Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. A total of 31 D.338s were purchased by Air France, and they were used into World War II, where they were employed as troop transporters. Following their use in the War, only eight aircraft survived. However, despite this, the basic model was still used for years, until more recent builds were designed.