Caudron Aiglon

Development

The Aiglon (en: Eaglet) was designed by Marcel Riffard after he took over the design department when Caudron merged with Renault. The Aiglon was a two-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane with tandem open cockpits. The first of two prototypes first flew in March 1935 from Issy-les-Moulineaux, France. Two special long-distance versions (C.610 Aiglons) were built with increased fuel capacity. In December 1935 a C.610 was flown from Paris to Saigon at an average speed of 80 mph (129 km/h).

The type was popular with French private owners and flying clubs, and a number were sold abroad. With the outbreak of the Second World War many of the aircraft were requistioned by the French Government for use as liaison aircraft by the Armée de l'Air. Total production of the Aiglon was 203 aircraft, including 178 of the basic Renault 4Pgi Bengali Junior powered model.

Variants

C.600 Aiglon

production model with a Renault 4Pgi Bengali Junior engine, 178 built.

C.600G Aiglon

modified version with a de Havilland Gipsy Major engine, five built.

C.601 Aiglon Senior

modified version with a Renault 4Pei engine, 18 built.

C.610 Aiglon

special long-distance single-seat version with increased fuel, two built.

Caudron KXC1

A C.601 exported to Japan for evaluation by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service.

Operators

The aircraft was operated by flying clubs, private individuals and a few air forces:

 Argentina

Argentine Air Force

 France

French Air Force

 Guatemala

Guatemalan Air Force

 Hungary

Royal Hungarian Air Force operated 6 aircraft between 1943 and 1945

 Japan

Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, one example evaluated under designation KXC

 Romania

Royal Romanian Air Force

 Spain

Spanish Republican Air Force, used at El Carmolí fighter pilot training facility.

Specifications (C.600)

General characteristics

Length: 27 ft 11½ in (8.52 m)

Wingspan: 38 ft 9¼ in (11.82m)

Height: 9 ft 5 ³⁄₄ in (2.89m)

Wing area: 156.19 ft² (14.51 m²)

Empty weight: 1,235 lb (560 kg)

Max. takeoff weight: 1,940 lb (880 kg)

Powerplant: 1 × Renault 4Pgi Bengali Junior inline piston engine, 100 hp (75 kw)

Performance

Maximum speed: 137 mph (220 km/h)

Range: 435 miles (700 km)