Caudron C.280 Phalène

what is it?

The Caudron C.280 Phalène ("Moth") was a civil utility aircraft built in France during the 1930s. It was a high-wing braced monoplane of conventional configuration with fixed tailskid undercarriage. The pilot and two-three passengers were accommodated within an enclosed cabin.

🔎How to recognise it: 1 engine · 11.6 m wingspan

base stats

• speed 185 km/htop speed
• range 850 kmwithout refuelling
• size 950 kgmax take-off weight
• built 240made in total

Bars compare against all aircraft: 3,500 km/h, 20,000 km, 850 seats; size and number built on a log scale up to 640 t (An-225) and 45,000 built (Cessna 172).

fun facts

• 🎂First flew 94 years ago, in 1932.
• 🚗Wingspan of 11.6 m: about 3 cars parked nose to tail.

spec sheet

first flight

1932

number built

240

role

utility aircraft

makers

Caudron

engines

1× Renault 4Pdi

length

8.3 m

wingspan

11.6 m

height

2.1 m

max take-off weight

950 kg

top speed

185 km/h

range

850 km

ceiling

4,500 m

Specs are for the version in the Wikipedia article's specification section. Blank means the sources don't say.