Wibault 280
type of aircraft
The Wibault 280-T was a monoplane trimotor airliner designed and produced by the French aircraft manufacturer Wibault. Designed to accommodate up to 12 passengers in its largest variant, development of the aircraft was financially backed by the Penhoët shipyards, which led to the aircraft alternatively being referred to as 'Penhoët Wibault'.
Development
Development of what would become the Wibault 280 was heavily financed by the Penhoët shipyards of St Nazaire. During November 1930, the prototype Penhoët Wibault 280-T performed its maiden flight from Villacoublay. It was powered by three 300 hp (224 kW) Hispano-Wright 9Qa radial engines, although these were soon replaced by three Gnome-Rhône 7Kb, after which the aircraft was redesignated the Wibault 281-T.
A second aircraft was built to the 281 standard but then it was converted to a Wibault 282-T with three 350 hp (261 kW) Gnome-Rhône 7Kd engines and room for 12 passengers, seven further aircraft were built as 282s. Some of the 282s were operated by Air Union on the Paris-London Voile d'Or ("Golden Clipper") service in 1933. During 1934, Air France took delivery of the first of ten Wibault 283-Ts which had an increased fuel capacity and modified tail. Some of the 282s were subsequently converted to 283 standard. Several commercial aircraft were later taken over as military transports.
Design
The Wibault 280 was an all-metal cantilever monoplane trimotor airliner.
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