SNCAC NC 1080

The SNCAC NC.1080 was a prototype single-seat carrier-based fighter aircraft first flown on 29 July 1949. Development was discontinued following an unexplained accident on 10 April 1950, and the contest, for which the design was intended, was eventually rendered moot when the Aéronavale adopted the de Havilland Sea Venom in 1952.

SNCAC NC.1080
Role Single seater monoplane
National origin France
Manufacturer SNCAC (Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Centre)
Designer Germain Pillon
First flight 29 July 1949
Number built 1

Design and development

Conceived as a single-seat, carrier-borne fighter for the French Navy, the NC.1080 competed for this role against the Arsenal VG 90 and Nord 2200. The project was funded directly by SNCAC, and was directed by engineer Germain Pillon.

The NC.1080 was fitted with a Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet, and was designed to be capable of carrying three 30mm cannon.[1] It was a low-wing monoplane of all-metal construction.

On 29 July 1949, the aircraft had its first test flight, during which issues were noted regarding two control surfaces: the spoilers and tailplane.[1] While SNCAC was dissolved that same year, further testing of the prototype was carried out by the French military at Brétigny and Villaroche air bases.[1] During a test flight on 10 April 1950, with Pierre Gallay at the controls, the plane crashed for unknown reasons.[2] It was damaged beyond repair.[1] Consequently, further development of the design was immediately halted.[2]

Specifications

Data from The Complete Book of Fighters [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 12.87 m (42 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 28.4 m2 (306 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 5,141 kg (11,334 lb)
  • Gross weight: 7,700 kg (16,976 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Nene centrifugal-flow turbojet engine, 22.3 kN (5,000 lbf) thrust

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 978 km/h (608 mph, 528 kn) at 5,000 m (16,404 ft)
  • Range: 1,550 km (960 mi, 840 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 25 m/s (4,900 ft/min)

Armament

  • Guns: 3× 30 mm (1.181 in) cannon (planned)

References
  1. Green and Swanborough 1994, p.11.
  2. "SNCAC NC-1080" (in French). aviafrance.com. Retrieved 13 June 2009.

Bibliography
  • Buttler, Tony. X-Planes of Europe II: Military Prototype Aircraft from the Golden Age 1946–1974. Manchester, UK: Hikoki Publications, 2015. ISBN 978-1-90210-948-0
  • Carbonel, Jean-Christophe. French Secret Projects 1: Post War Fighters. Manchester, UK: Crecy Publishing, 2016 ISBN 978-1-91080-900-6
  • Green, W. & Swanborough, G. (1994). The Complete Book of Fighters. London: Salamander Books. ISBN 1-85833-777-1
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