Breguet Nautilus

Development

The Nautilus had a high-set monoplane wing on a single-step hull, the wing being fabric covered and the hull all-metal. The aircraft was powered by a 720 hp (537 kW) Hispano-Suiza 12Xirs V-12 piston engine strut-mounted above the hull, driving a pusher propeller.

The first of two prototypes flew in 1939 and performed well enough that a production order for 75 was placed. The order was reduced to 45 in May 1940 in order to free production capacity for more urgently needed combat aircraft, but none were built following the German invasion.

Variants

Breguet 790

Basic three-seat coastal reconnaissance aircraft, powered by 540 kW (720 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Xirs engine. Two prototypes built.

Breguet 791

Proposed version powered by single 490 kW (660 hp) Gnome-Rhône 14M radial engine. Unbuilt.

Breguet 792

Proposed version for ship-based reconnaissance aircraft, powered by two 270 kW (360 hp) Béarn 6 air-cooled inline engines. Unbuilt.

Specifications

Data from

General characteristics

Crew: three

Length: 13.00 m (42 ft 8 in)

Wingspan: 17.00 m (55 ft 9 in)

Height: 4.00 m (13 ft 1 in)

Wing area: 33.00 m² (355.2 sq ft)

Empty weight: 2,700 kg (5,952 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 3,600 kg (7,937 lb)

Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza 12Xirs inline piston engine, 540 kW (720 hp)

Propellers: 3-bladed

Performance

Maximum speed: 310 km/h (193 mph; 167 kn)

Cruise speed: 150 km/h (93 mph; 81 kn)

Range: 900 km (559 mi; 486 nmi)

Service ceiling: 6,000 m (20,000 ft)