I talk about the french aviation history, aircraft, projects, and flying machines designed in France. SE-210 "Caravelle" lover A scientific mediator in the space industryhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mzl6ewle3k2gAmateur Aviation: Why and How I Built the ‘Poux du Ciel". This is a book from 1934 written by Henri Mignet, explaining the process behind the design of his ‘Flying Flea’ model, which was intended to be an inexpensive, popular aeroplane as accessible as a Ford Model T.05 Nov 2026 15:24 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mzl6ewle3k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mzl4hifnus2gI promise, it’s not AI, it’s just French… The Croses-Bujon B-EC-7 “Tout Terrain” was a 3-seater, flying flea (poux du ciel) configuration aircraft with a long range, developed during the 70s. To enable it to land on unprepared terrain, the aircraft was, rather unusually, fitted with five wheels.05 Nov 2026 14:49 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mzl4hifnus2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mzks446szs2oThe SNCASO "SO-M2" was a piloted flying model, a 1:2 scale of the "SO-4000" bomber project. For the 1949 Paris Air Show, it was decided to display it with a cockpit that did not protrude from the fuselage, so that it would resemble the "SO-4000" as closely as possible. Model by Gaëtan Oddou05 Nov 2026 11:44 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mzks446szs2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mzkg62ux7k2fDassault’s marvellous aeroplanes in the 1960s.05 Nov 2026 08:10 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mzkg62ux7k2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3myuxrj7nsk2jMorane-Saulnier “Vanneau” is a training aircraft developed in secret by Morane-Saulnier during the WWII. Following its maiden flight in 1945, 230 were ordered; the variant shown here is the MS.475 “Vanneau” powered by a Hispano-Suiza 12Y engine for the French Air Force.27 Oct 2026 19:27 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3myuxrj7nsk2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3myuooxux4226A LeO H-242 flying boat taking off from Marseille on a flight across the Mediterranean Sea to Algiers. This aircraft, operated by Air France in the 1930s, could carry 15 passengers. It was filmed here in 1934. © ECPAD27 Oct 2026 16:44 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3myuooxux4226https://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3myjx5xm6sk2gA family photo featuring "Asterix" (France’s first artificial satellite – 1965) and "Idéfix" (a Franco-German rover launched a few days ago to explore Phobos, one of Mars’s moons).23 Oct 2026 10:16 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3myjx5xm6sk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3myiexedo3k2bAn explanation of the basic controls of an aeroplane in 1937.22 Oct 2026 19:18 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3myiexedo3k2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3myibf5wjus2fThe Breguet Br.903 (or S-10) stratospheric glider was the result of pre-war research. It was developed by Arsenal, then by SEVIMIA, and in 1954 by Breguet. As the glider was designed to reach an altitude of 12,000 metres, the cabin was pressurised.22 Oct 2026 18:14 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3myibf5wjus2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3myceq5nygc2oLast night, the ambitious Japanese “MMX” mission lifted off, heading for Phobos, one of Mars’ moons, to find out more about this large rock. Among the payloads is a small rover called “Idefix”, developed on a 50/50 basis by France (CNES) and Germany (DLR). © CNES20 Oct 2026 09:58 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3myceq5nygc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3myantmitr22qA poster for Air France’s routes to the Far East, illustrated by Lucien Boucher in 1948.19 Oct 2026 17:36 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3myantmitr22qhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3my7ya5mvs22lIn 1972, Jean Boulet broke the world altitude record for a helicopter (which still stands today). At the controls of an SA 315B “Lama”, he reached a record altitude of 12,442 metres above Istres. At that altitude, the cockpit was completely iced over, with temperature at -62°C.19 Oct 2026 11:09 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3my7ya5mvs22lhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3my5uqwgams2iAll the ramjet aircraft developed by René Leduc had one thing in common: they did not have ejection seats, but rather ejectable cockpits that remained pressurised. Here is a demonstration of how this worked, using a scale model of the Leduc 021 in 1955. © British Pathé18 Oct 2026 15:01 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3my5uqwgams2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3my35rodmj22oThe Dewoitine D.550 from 1939 was a speed record aircraft derived from the D.520 and powered by a Hispano-Suiza 12Y-51 developing 1300hp. On 24 February 1940, it reached a speed of 703 km/h at an altitude of 6,500m. It was used as a basis for the D.551 fighter.17 Oct 2026 13:05 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3my35rodmj22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxykwvvqrs2qThe Potez 230 was a pure marvel, forgotten today. It was a prototype fighter from 1940 that took on the characteristics of the "A.N.F. Les Mureaux 190" with its eliptical wing. It was then capable of flying at 560 km/h and could reach an altitude of 9,000 metres. But WW2...16 Oct 2026 12:23 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxykwvvqrs2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxwczsztfs27In 1954 Michel Wibault filed a patent for an adjustable nozzle for a vertical take-off aircraft. This promising patent inspired Breguet, who developed the Br.1010 Aptérion, a VTOL ground-attack aircraft. It inspired Colonel Johnny Driscoll, who sent a report to Bristol in 1956.15 Oct 2026 14:56 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxwczsztfs27https://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxvmvies6k2tAfter rejecting the French engineer Wibault's VTOL engine project, Dassault noted the progress of the British "P.1127" built around the same concept and decided to design the MD.610 "Cavalier" in 1959, an VTOL using the same formula, and the same engine.15 Oct 2026 08:20 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxvmvies6k2thttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxvls6c63c2tThe MD.452 “Mystère I” was a modification of the airframe of the MD.450 “Ouragan”, France’s first jet fighter. The first “Mystère” was a pre-production “Ouragan” fitted with a 30° swept wing (instead of 14°) and a Rolls-Royce “Tay” turbojet engine.15 Oct 2026 08:00 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxvls6c63c2thttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxviphqfq22dLanding test of the sole 1969 "Jaguar" M (Marine) on the aircraft carrier Clémenceau. The "M" variant was abandoned by France in 1973 as the "Jaguar" proved to be underpowered for aircraft carrier operations. © Dassault Aviation15 Oct 2026 07:05 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxviphqfq22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxtgvny36c24The MB.300 ‘Pacifique’ or ‘Grosse Julie’, was a 30-seater three-engined commercial aircraft from 1935. After numerous modifications, it was granted its airworthiness certificate and was then handed over to Air France. The aircraft’s final days remain a mystery. © Dassault Aviation14 Oct 2026 11:27 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxtgvny36c24https://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxtg2znur22oDesigned as a passenger aircraft in 1943, the SO.30N “Bellatrix” had a mid-wing configuration requiring a reinforcing structure in the passenger cabin, which was impractical for the interior layout; its successor, the SO.30 “Bretagne”, would rectify this flaw with a completely redesigned fuselage.14 Oct 2026 11:12 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxtg2znur22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxqt3xbw2k2tA replica of the Payen Pa.100 (with an in-line engine, as it was originally intended to be built) stands alongside its inventor, Nicolas Roland Payen, the little-known father of the delta wing, in the 70's. The original aircraft, named the Pa.101, was built in 1934.13 Oct 2026 10:27 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxqt3xbw2k2thttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxm53efpok2nDesigned in parallel with the Dassault "Communauté", the Dassault MD-410 "Spirale" was a prototype STOL multirole ground attack, reconnaissance, cargo and troop transport aircraft. It flew for the first time in 1960 but was never produced in series. © Dassault Aviation11 Oct 2026 13:43 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxm53efpok2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxjhogyyf22cMax Holste ‘Broussard Major’ was intended to result in a rugged, low-cost and highly versatile aircraft, capable of carrying up to 9 passengers, cargo, or even being used for medical evacuation. A mockup of the fuselage was produced in 1961, but the aircraft was never built.10 Oct 2026 12:14 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxjhogyyf22chttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxh63fxjh22uAdvertisement for the Potez 75, a prototype anti-tank and ground-attack aircraft of the STOL type, designed for unprepared airfields. During its maiden flight in 1953, it immediately revealed its limitations. The Air Force rejected it: it simply belonged to a different era.09 Oct 2026 14:17 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxh63fxjh22uhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxglwsxvns2uConfiguration "courtoisie" envisaged in 1959 for the seating arrangement of the Potez 840, an elegant four-engine single-aisle passenger aircraft. It was the last aircraft to bear the Potez name. First flight in 1961.09 Oct 2026 08:52 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxglwsxvns2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxgir6my7225The first Caravelle, circa 1956, in the old Air France livery. © Marlène Aviation09 Oct 2026 07:56 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxgir6my7225https://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxbzzs6ozk2nIt is true that French bombers from the WWII are, on the whole, rather unattractive; this is because the new generation then under development could not be produced before 1940. A case in point is the Bloch MB.135, a medium bomber from 1939 capable of reaching speeds of over 500 km/h.07 Oct 2026 13:21 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxbzzs6ozk2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/aviationmarlene.bsky.social/post/3mxbqavow2k2wThe magnificent strangeness of the SE-2410 "Grognard", a prototype twin-engine attack aircraft from 1950.07 Oct 2026 10:26 +0000at://did:plc:snosoo46baphfrmdaveo2tpd/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxbqavow2k2w