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POTEZ 633

 


Technical Specifications
Type
Light Bomber two-seater with low-wings and retractable landing gear
Date first flight
January 16, 1937
Wingspan
16,00 m 
Lenght
11,07 m 
Height
3,61m 
Wing Area
32,70 m2 
Empty Weight
2450 Kg 
Max. Takeoff Weight
4500 Kg 
Cruising Speed
km/h. 
Maximum Speed
435 km/h at 4000m 
Climbing Speed
4000m in 6mn 8s 
Service ceilling
8000 m 
Range
1300kms
Crew
2 Men
Motorization
2 Radial Engine Gnôme Rhône 14 Mars M4/5 of 700ch each
Armament
1 fied machine-gunMAC 34 of 7.5mm on the nose
1 mobile machine-gun MAC 34 of 7.5mm in dorsal position
440 Kgs of bombs

 


Production

74 Potez 633 of series were built after the prototype that made its first flight on January 16, 1937. They were first commanded by the Air Force, then, after the command was abandoned, they were exported:

  • 24 commanded by Greece, of which 13 were recovered by the Air Force
  • 40 commanded by Romania, of which 19 were recovered by the Air Force
  • 9 commanded by China, of which 4 were recovered by the Air Force and sent to Indochina

To date, out of the 74 aircraft manufactured ,69 are listed in the list below :

 


Historical

The Potez 630 is the result of a program of 1934 aimed at equipping the Air Force with a multi-seater light aircraft capable of fulfilling missions of Hunting Command, tandem of escort and two-seater fighter of night. The Potez 630 competes with the Breguet 690, Romano 110, Loire-Nieuport 20, Hanriot 220.

The Potez 630's study deadlines are rather short: the first prototype was manufactured in April 1935 and was completed in early 1936 with a first flight on April 25, 1936, to the hands of the Nicolle test pilots. The prototype is powered by two Hispano-Suiza 14Hbs of 580ch. The aircraft is well-born, and shows good flying qualities. Beginning August 1936, it was transferred to Villacoublay to undergo some modifications. The wooden bi-drift is replaced by a metallic model, and it receives a new landing gear. The manufacturer's tests end at the end of November 1936, and the CEMA (Aircraft Testing Center) will accept the aircraft at the end of December. The official test campaign can begin. The original engine is replaced by Hispano-Suiza 14ab 02/03, then by HS14 Ab 10/11. After acceptance of the aircraft by the Air Force, a dozen units are requested from Potez for various experiments: 4 Potez 630, 3 Potez 631, 2 Potez 633 B2 and 1 Potez 637.

The Potez 633 B2 is identical to the Potez 631 fighter, but the place of the Observer is replaced by a bomb bay capable of carrying 8 bombs of 50kg. The armament is reduced to 2 machine guns of 7.5mm one of which is in chase.

In December 1937, an order is thrown for the delivery of of 50 Potez 633B2. In March 1938, Plan V was launched, confirming the orders of Potez type 63. So 449 potez 633 are first requested, then to go to 453 devices, but finally the request of Potez 633 is transferred to Potez 631.

At the beginning of the war, the Potez 633, under construction for export, were seized by the French Air Force: 13 Greeks, 19 Romanians and 4 Chinese. These aircraft are donated to the GBA (Assault Bombing Group) for training pending the delivery of the new Breguet 693

In order to help Finland in the struggle against the USSR from November 1939, it is envisaged to create an expeditionary force composed of volunteers. Thus, a dozen of Potez 633 are grouped at Vinon. This unit was then transferred to Tangmere, England, to join the British Expeditionary Force, but the armistice signed in March 1940 between Finland and the USSR would put an end to the expedition.

During the Campaign of France, only one mission was carried out by 3 Potez 633 on May 20, 1940. As of May 22, all Potez 633 are withdrawn from service.


Versions

The Potez 633 of Bombardment knew only one version. You will find in the Potez 637 or Potez 63-11 card the versions of Reconnaissance and in that of the Potez 630 the Fighter versions.


Bibliography

1) _ Editions LELA PRESSE ; Collection "Les Ailes de la Gloire"
- No9 : Les Potez 63

 

2) _ Editions MMP ; Collection "Orange Séries"
- No8109 : Potez 63 Family

 

 


Photos Album

 


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