The Arc en Ciel was due to a talented French engineer René Couzinet.
It was the first land plane to cross the South Atlantic in 1933 with six people on board.
Mr Couzinet was a genius, an engineer ahead of his time, he was right when the others thought he was wrong.
Consequently, many were jealous of his success and things were not smooth.
According to French officials, his plane "couldn't fly", so the prototype didn't receive its permit to fly.
When the plane was ready for its first flight, simply the test pilot in charge of the flight test asked the officials to move aside, the engines were started and the plane took off for a successful first flight.
The permit to fly was received later, well after the first flight.
Carrying mail, eight crossings were made over the South Atlantic.
These flights were a major advance in air services between France and South America and had an enormous impact on public opinion, both in France and South America.
An order for several aircraft was expected but was cancelled.
For obscure reasons, the plane was retired from service.
Officially, AF preferred 4 engine aircraft and was still hesitating between land planes or sea planes.
It must be said that in those days, the French Air Ministry was unable to have a clear policy.
Too much money spent on too many prototypes.
I have a copy of a letter written by General Denain, Ministre de l'Air, asking Mr Couzinet to build three aircraft, a few months later, he changed his mind and the order was cancelled.
Note : The letter was not signed.
Blériot, the man who crossed the Channel in 1909 and who became a well known manufacturer was ruined when the orders he received were also cancelled by the Air Ministry.
Consequences of an incoherent and irresponsible policy.
This is a HBM resin model, propellers are courtesy of Pau Howard.
Most of the decals, cockpit and passenger windows, registration marks,rainbow and "rené couzinet" title under the belly are home made.
A very interesting experience …
Note : It is widely accepted that the registration marks were black, in fact, they most certainly were red, just like the rené couzinet title under the belly, hence home made decals …
As usual, the model could have been better, in each model, there is something to learn.
Jean Pierre.
Last edited by AIR FRANCE 340; 05-23-2015 at 05:52 AM.
At least I can see the Couzinet now released and this is a wondeful model job , Jean Pierre.
Obviously, you suceeded in making very accurate and nice customs decals! Congratulations!
PS : What's next for 2015 ??
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for New Year 2015 in your sweet Normandy
That is an awesome model Jean Pierre! I do like the fact that it is an exotic and unique type. Thanks for the history lessons and please let us enjoy more of your beautiful and inspiring work in 2015.
Very nice work! I have always been interested in airplanes from this era, F-rsin has quite a few resin models from this era. Very tempted to try one, again nice work.
Thank you my friends for your interest in this model and this aircraft.
This footage is very interesting, thank you Rui.
In those days, these crossings had a great impact on public opinion, in fact Mr Couzinet made a very capable aircraft which was not pushed to its limits.
Before retirement, eight crossings were made, carrying mail, demonstrating the superiority of land planes over seaplanes.
Note : The first crossing of the South Atlantic was made by two Portuguese, Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral, it was in 1922, the crossing was made between Canarias islands, Ilhas do Cabo Verde, Penedos Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo, Fernando de Noronha and Recife.
They left Lisbon on March 30 and arrived at Rio on June 17, three seaplanes were used.
Next model ? Maybe Farman 2234, three were made before the outbreak of WWII, the plane was intended to carry mail between France and USA.
Thank you Jean Pierre for the marvelous model and sobering history lesson. It is amazing how the fortunes of two of France's aviation heroes, Bleriot and Couzenet were ruined by government indifference.
Thank you too, Rui, for the fascinating newsreel footage.
Jean Pierre,
What an impressive model of such an iconic aircraft! Thanks for pointing out the variations of the markings as well, as someone like myself would never have known about the red. I'll be looking forward to your next effort(s) in 2015!!
We'll see how the year goes . . . who knows . . . maybe I'll step up to the plate?
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