Latham 47

The Latham 47 was a twin-engined French biplane flying boat in construction.

This type, as one of these machines in 1928 vanished without a trace in the search for the lost airship Italia in the Arctic near the Bear Island became famous. Here, the famous polar explorer Roald Amundsen and all crew members died.

History

The Latham 47 was developed by Jean Latham Caudebec -en- Caux for the French Navy, a total of 13 machines were produced. Jean Latham was the cousin of aviation pioneer Hubert Latham. Hubert Latham was known for his Antoinette VII, with whom he had to make an emergency landing during his flight across the English Channel in 1909.

Rescue Operation for the airship Italia

As part of the international campaign to save the Nobile North Pole expedition. End of May 1928 started at the command of the French Navy Minister Georges Leygues on June 16, 1928 Latham 47 in the direction of Bergen in Norway. Pilot René Guilbaud was, and the radio operator Valette, Lieutenant de Cuverville and aircraft mechanic Gilbert Brazy.

After a brief stop in Bergen we went to Tromso. On June 18, here went to Roald Amundsen and the pilot Leif Dietrichson. The machine started after a few attempts to start towards Spitsbergen. However, the aircraft did not reach Spitsbergen. They later found one of the float, which had traces of processing. Probably had Amundsen and his companions tried to escape it.

1931 a huge aircraft Monument of Latham 47 was built in the French city Caudebec -en- Caux. In Calais, a stele with bronze bust was erected at Fort Risban commemorating the mechanic Brazy 1929 and named a street after Brazy.

Specifications

• Crew Members: 4
• Wingspan: 25,20 m
• Length: 16,30 m
• Height: 5.20 m
• Empty weight: 4900 kg
• Power: 2x 500 hp
• Max speed: 170 km / h

Left

• Latham Memorial 47
• The city Caudebec -en- Caux with the Latham -47 Monument website
• Aviation Museum Norway Amundsen
• The search for the Latham 47 at Bear Island

• Military Aircraft
• Flying boat