Hi all,
it is very seldom that I have to ask a multiengined plane to be named. Also, I hate to show wrecks. I mean there are enough pictures of intact airplanes to look upon. But what if I cannot find the name of a wreck?
The pictures here have been posted in a Dutch forum already in 2011. As much as I understand, they did not find out what it is. The context says the pictures were taken after a German bomb attack on Le Bourget airport in 1940. So, the aircraft surely is French. I know some 3-engined French types, the Bloch MB 300, the Dewoitine 338 and succeding ones, the Dewoitine D.430, the Wibaults. But none of these looks like the wrecked aircraft shown here. Especially note the exhaust pipes directing upward.
Please tell me what this is if you can. I would like to see it in complete. Thank you for evey answer!
Regards, RT
By: Mothminor - 25th April 2021 at 09:17
Hi pogno,
I’ve just had a look at G-ADSZ. However, while the damage to both aircraft is fairly similar, I think there are enough differences to make me still believe it is ‘SX at Le Bourget. The damage to the starboard wing and fin on ‘SZ in particular.
https://www.asisbiz.com/Battles/BOF-a/pages/French-Airforce-Armstrong-W…
By: pogno - 24th April 2021 at 22:16
I agree its an Ensign but I think its actually G-ADSZ that was shot down at Melville, France. I cannot link for some reason but something similar comes up on google.
Rchard
By: Romantic Techno - 24th April 2021 at 19:24
Believe me or not – just some minutes ago I found it out myself. By googling, I saw the picture MothMinor shows here. I knew I must have seen already these upward-pointing exhaust pipes… but where? Now it is clear.
Thank you again, especially MothMinor!
Regards, RT
By: Ant.H - 24th April 2021 at 17:56
I think Mothminor has nailed it, looks like a perfect match to me.
By: Mothminor - 24th April 2021 at 09:35
Hi RT,
I think it’s possible that the photo may be of the remains of Armstrong Whitworth Ensign G-ADSX “Ettrick” which was destroyed at Le Bourget on 1st June 1940. It was rumoured that the aircraft was taken over and re-engined for the Luftwaffe but this theory was discredited in recent years after photos appeared showing it in, well, pretty bad shape. If you compare the tail section with the linked photo below you can see the similarity to your own photo –
By: Romantic Techno - 24th April 2021 at 08:07
You are right, Ant.H, four-engined makes perfect sense. What I thought to be the bomb bay really is a landing gear well. Only other thing what could help is the huge vertical tail section.
Who knows more? Any forgotten French four engined project coming up to your mind?
Thanks, and regards,
RT
By: Ant.H - 23rd April 2021 at 21:47
Sadly I can’t ID the wreck, but I feel pretty sure it’s a four-engine design. There appears to be a fourth engine lying on the ground in front of the port wing, and the right hand landing gear appears to mount behind what would be the “nose” engine of a tri-motor, making it the stbd inner/No.3 engine.
By: Arabella-Cox - 23rd April 2021 at 20:47
Looks like a model of Dewoitine. Perhaps the D620 as I believe that had 3-blade props. But not sure.
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April 23, 2021 at 7:57 pm
