Two VG-33s.[1]
The Arsenal VG-33[N 1] was a single seat fighter built by France before the occupation by Germany.
History[]
The first of the VG-30 series to enter production, the VG-33 was intended to be a rival for the Dewoitine D.520, Morane-Saulnier M.S.450 and Ouest CAO 200, and a possible successor to the Morane-Saulnier M.S.406. [3]. The type began it's test programme on 24th May 1939, leading to a production contract for 220 examples being placed with Chantiers Aero--Maritimes de Seine in September 1939. This was subsequently increased to 1,000, but only 19 had been completed by the time France surrendered in June 1940,[2] by which time the VG.33 had already served as the basis for the single prototypes of the VG.34, VG.35 and VG.36.[3]
Specification[]
The VG-33 was powered by an 860 hp Hispano-Suiza 12Y31 inline engine, giving the type a max speed of 347 mph (558 km/h) and normal range of 746 miles (1,200 km). Armament comprised a single 20 mm HS 404 autocannon and four 7.7 mm MAC 1834 M39 machine guns. Measuring 28 ft 02/3 in (8.55 m)in length, 10 ft 10 1/2 in (3.31 m) in height with the tail up, and 35 ft 5 1/4 in (10.80 m) across the wingspan, the VG-33 had an empty weight of 4,519 lb (2,050 kg, increasing with normal load to 5,855 lb (2,656 kg). [2]
References[]
Notes[]
Sources[]
- ↑ World of Warplanes
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. Complete Book of Fighters. Salamander Books. 2001. ISBN 1-84065-269-1 Page 30.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 *World Aircraft Information Files Aviation Partwork. Midsummer Books Ltd. File 889 Card 81 (A-Z of Aircraft: Arrow Active to Arsenal-Delanne 10)
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