The
Caravelle was the world's first short/medium-range jet airliner. Designed
to a requirement for a short range jet, SNCASE (Societe Nationale de
Constructions Aeronautiques de Sud-Est) responded with an aircraft
with engines in pods at the rear of the fuselage setting a trend in
commercial aircraft.
The Caravelle first flew in 1955 and entered
service with Air France in 1959. Since SNCASE merged with
Ouest-Aviation to form Sud-Aviation in 1957, the Caravelle is more well
known as a Sud-Aviation product. Another merger brought
production under Aerospatiale.
Over 280 were produced through 1972.
Specifications
(Caravelle III)
Designations
Type: Commercial
Capacity: 64 seats (typical)
Engine: two 11,700 lb (4763 kg) thrust
Rolls-Royce Avon RA.29 Mk 532 turbojet engines
