View source for Caudron

{{Short description|French aircraft manufacturer}}
[[File:CaudronLaFoudre.jpg|thumb|300px|A Caudron seaplane, being hoisted on board ''[[La Foudre]]'' in April 1914]]
The '''Société des Avions Caudron''' was a French aircraft company founded in 1909 as the '''Association Aéroplanes Caudron Frères''' by brothers Gaston and René Caudron. It was one of the earliest aircraft manufacturers in France and produced planes for the military in both [[World War I]] and [[World War II]]. From 1933 onwards, it was a subsidiary of [[Renault]].

==Alphonse (Gaston) (1882–1915) and René Caudron (1884–1959)==

Born in [[Favières, Somme]] to parents who farmed nearby in [[Romiotte]], the Caudron brothers were educated at a college in [[Abbeville]]. Gaston, as Alphonse was always known, intended to become an engineer but his education was cut short by health problems; René was interested in the development of mechanics and was a sportsman. After military service in an artillery regiment, they returned to work on the farm.<ref name=Hauet1>{{cite book |title=Les Avions Caudrons |last=Hauet|first=André|year=2001|volume=1|publisher=Lela Presse|location=Outreau|isbn=2 914017-08-1}}</ref>

They began to build their first aircraft, a large [[biplane]], in August 1908. Initially unable to obtain an engine, they flew it as a glider, towed by a horse, and tested it through the summer. In September 1909, they finally flew it under power. By April 1910, they were able to make a return flight of {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on|0}} to [[Forest-Montiers]].<ref name=Hauet1/>

Gaston Caudron died in an aircraft accident on 15 December 1915 at the airfield at [[Bron]].<ref>{{cite magazine|date=1–15 December 1915 |title=Nécrologie - Gaston Caudron|magazine=L'Aérophile|volume=23 |issue=24 |page=275|url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6553367x/f17}}</ref> René continued in the aircraft business until the [[fall of France]] at the start of [[World War II]]. He died in 1959.<ref name=Flight>{{cite magazine|date=9 October 1959 |title=René Caudron |magazine= [[Flight International|Flight]]|volume=76 |issue=2639 |page=346 |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1959/1959%20-%202569.html}}</ref>

==Caudron Frères and Caudron-Renault==

Needing a more convenient base than the farm, the brothers established their factory in nearby [[Le Crotoy]], on the eastern side of the [[Somme (river)|Somme]] estuary about {{convert|16|km|mi|abbr=on|0}} from Abbeville and with a broad, flat, firm, south facing beach ideal for flying. They set up a flying school there<ref name=Hauet1/> which was functioning by 19 May 1910.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=1 June 1910 |title=Au jour le jour un peu partout (Daily everywhere)|magazine=L'Aérophile|volume=1910 |page=242|url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k65639070/f246}}</ref> This activity flourished and by early 1913 a second school had been set up at [[Port-Aviation]] (often called "Juvisy Airfield") in [[Viry-Châtillon]] with a combined capacity of 100 to 250.<ref name=JAWA13>{{cite book |title= Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1913|last= Jane |first= Fred T.  |year=1969|publisher=David & Charles|location= London|isbn=0-7153-4388-2
|page=86 }}</ref> The War Ministry sent about 30 student pilots there in 1913.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} By then the company was based at [[Rue, Somme]].<ref name=JAWA13/> During World War I, the company moved its production to [[Lyon]] and [[Issy-les-Moulineaux]], as the Somme plant was too close to the battle front.<ref name=Book>{{cite book |last1=Siffre |first1=Henri |last2=De Andria |first2=Jean-François |title=Le Groupe Caudron-Renault 1933–1944 : un météore de l'aviation française |trans-title=The Caudron-Renault Group 1933–1944: a meteor of the French aviation |language=fr}}</ref>

Designers of many aircraft like the two-seater [[Caudron G.3]] that successfully landed on [[Mont Blanc]] in 1921, Caudron produced the [[training aircraft|trainers]] in which thousands of pilots got their first flying licence. The Caudron plants at Lyon and Issy-les-Moulineaux produced nearly 4,000 airplanes during World War I.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} In 1920, the Lyon plant stopped assembling and the Issy-les-Moulineaux site was consolidated as the headquarters and main production base.<ref name=Book/> In 1933, Caudron was acquired by [[Renault]], following pressure from the French Air Ministry, which was seeking consolidation in the aircraft industry. At the time, Renault was increasing its involvement in the aviation field.<ref name=INSEE>{{cite conference |url=http://www.insee.fr/en/ppp/sommaire/imet95-96m.pdf|title=Restructuring in the auto industry: the precedent of the 1930s |first=Jean Louis |last=Loubet |date=1 December 1999 |conference=Changing for the better approaches to restructuring enterprise groups – 5th seminar of the INSEE Business Statistics Directorate |journal=Insee Méthodes |issue=95–96 |publisher=[[Insee]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304022604/http://www.insee.fr/en/ppp/sommaire/imet95-96m.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Book2>{{cite book |last1=Richards |first1=Yves |title=Renault 1898, Renault 1965 |language=fr |publisher=Pierre Tisné |pages=129–130}}</ref><ref name=Outil>{{cite journal |last=Chadeau |first=Emmanuel |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/hes_0752-5702_1987_num_6_2_1449 |date=1988 |title=Stratégies d'entreprises et innovations internationales : les motoristes français d'aviation |trans-title=Business strategies and international innovations: the French aircraft engine manufacturers |language=fr |volume=6 |issue=2 |journal=Histoire, économie & société |publisher=Armand Colin |issn=1777-5906 |doi=10.3406/hes.1987.1449 |page=278}}</ref> Renault took a controlling 55% stake while René Caudron kept the remaining 45%.<ref name=Book/> both the Société des Avions Caudron and Renault's aircraft engine branch were integrated into the Renault Aviation division led by [[François Lehideux]] (as top manager), [[Marcel Riffard]] (as aircraft body chief designer) and Charles-Edmond Serre (aircraft engine chief designer).<ref name=Book/><ref name=Book2/> The Issy-les-Moulineaux plant improved synergies with the Billancourt engine plant, as both were in the Paris area. In 1937, Renault bought out René Caudron's minority stake.<ref name=Book/>

[[File:Renault Viva Boucher.jpg|left|thumb|Renault used its successes on aviation to promote its core automotive business]]

As part of Renault, Caudron centred on producing light, sportier aircraft powered by either [[inline-four engine|inline-four]] or [[inline-six engine|inline-six]] cylinder engines, mirroring its automotive range at the time.<ref name=Outil/> Riffard was an expert on streamlined designs, which helped to achieve good speeds on low power.<ref name=Book/><ref name=Book2/> Caudron-Renault aircraft set several records in the 1930s.<ref name="Renault 2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.renaultsportf1.com/IMG/pdf/rsf1-presskit-2015-en_v6.pdf|title=Renault Energy F1-2015: Media Guide|work=Renault Sport F1|access-date=24 February 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218174146/http://www.renaultsportf1.com/IMG/pdf/rsf1-presskit-2015-en_v6.pdf|archive-date=18 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In August 1934, [[Hélène Boucher]], on board her [[Caudron C.450|C 450]], achieved the world record average speed for 100 kilometres, 1000 kilometres, and the world female speed record.<ref name=Book/><ref name=Book2/> In December 1934, [[Raymond Delmotte]] got a land aircraft world speed record of 505&nbsp;km/h on board his [[Caudron C.460|C 460]].<ref name=Book/><ref name=Book2/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.flightjournal.com/caudron-c-460-ancient-speed-demon-reborn-2/#visitor_pref_pop |title=Caudron C.460 Ancient Speed Demon Reborn |work=Flight Journal |last=Davidson |first=Budd |date=17 June 2014 |access-date=20 February 2020}}</ref> According to ''[[Flying (magazine)|Popular Aviation]]'', by November 1935 Caudron-Renault was producing the following models: the [[Caudron C.270|C 272-3 ''Luciole'']] (2-seat light biplane aircraft), the [[Caudron C.280|C 282-8 ''Phalene VIII'']] (4-seat light monoplane), the [[Caudron C.360|C 360]] (monoplane), [[Caudron-Regnier C.366 Atalante|the C 366 ''Atalante'']] (a monoplane based on an earlier model), the [[Caudron C.440|C 440]] (twin-engined low-wing cabin monoplane), the C 450 (1-seat racing monoplane), the C 460 (1-seat racing monoplane) and the [[Caudron C.530 Rafale|C 530 ''Rafale'']] (high-performance, 2-seat light monoplane).<ref>{{cite magazine |date=November 1935 |title=The world's planes and builders |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j0sGSc7ejTEC&q=societe+Caudron+Issy-Les-+Moulineaux&pg=PA329 |magazine=Popular Aviation |volume=17 |issue=5 |page=329 |location=Chicago |publisher=Aeronautical Publications}}</ref>

By 1936, Renault was hit by the [[Great Depression]] and, in 1938, it spun off Caudron-Renault into a separate, autonomous subsidiary in order to focus on its core automotive business.<ref name=INSEE/> After France was occupied by [[Nazi Germany]] during World War II, Caudron-Renault produced trainers, auto bodies, [[Messerschmitt]] aircraft parts,<ref name=BOOM>{{cite magazine |last=Frazer |first=Charles D. |date=November 1944 |title=Bompower |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TyBQ0QO7Z7AC&q=Renault+Caudron&pg=RA11-PA8 |magazine=Air Force Magazine |volume=27 |issue=11 |page=8 |location=New York City |publisher=US Air Force Editorial Office }}</ref> [[Messerschmitt Bf 108]]s<ref name=WER>{{cite book |last1=Vajda |first1=Ferenc A |last2=Dancey |first2=Peter |title=German Aircraft Industry and Production, 1933-1945 |year=1998 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-853-10864-8 |page=171 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Elfmh6eJFrMC&q=Caudron+1944&pg=PA171}}</ref> the Caudron's Simoun and Goéland ranges, the [[Siebel Si-204]],<ref name=Book/> for the [[Wehrmacht]]. It also repaired aircraft.<ref name=BOOM/> In February 1942, [[Willy Messerschmitt]] requested that Caudron produce the [[Messerschmitt Me 164]], a Si-104 rival, but that was sabotaged.<ref name=WER/> The Issy-les-Moulineaux plant was almost completely destroyed by [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] and [[American Air Force|AAF]] bombings that took place in September 1943, leaving it permanently out of production.<ref name=BOOM/> In 1944, the remaining Caudron-Renault operations were nationalised by the French government and became part of the Société Nationale de Construction aéronautique du Centre.<ref name=Book/>

==Aircraft==
(''Association Aéroplanes Caudron Frères'' / ''Société des avions Caudron'')

{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}

* [[Hydroaéroplane Caudron-Fabre]]
* [[Caudron Type A]]
* [[Caudron Type B.2]]
* [[Caudron Type C]]
* [[Caudron Type D]]
* [[Caudron Type E]]
* [[Caudron Type F]]
* [[Caudron Type G]]
* [[Caudron G.2]]
* [[Caudron G.3]]
* [[Caudron G.4]]
* [[Caudron G.6]]
* [[Caudron Type H]]
* [[Caudron Type J]]
* [[Caudron Type K]]
* [[Caudron Type L]]
* [[Caudron Type M]]
* [[Caudron Type N]]
* [[Caudron Type O]]
* [[Caudron Type P]]<ref name=Hauet1/>
* [[Caudron R]]<ref name = "Aviafrance Caudron Type R">
{{cite web |url=http://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=9780&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=313&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |title=Caudron Type R |work=Aviafrance.com |date=21 August 2003 |access-date=29 January 2011}}</ref>
* [[Caudron R.3]]<ref name=Hauet1/>
* [[Caudron R.3]]<ref name=Hauet1/>
* [[Caudron R.4]]
* [[Caudron R.5]]<ref name=Hauet1/>
* [[Caudron R.6]]
* [[Caudron R.8]]{{citation needed|date=January 2011}}
* [[Caudron R.9]]<ref name=Hauet1/>
* [[Caudron R.10]]<ref name=Hauet1/>
* [[Caudron R.11]]
* [[Caudron R.12]]
* [[Caudron R.14]]
* [[Caudron R.15]]{{citation needed|date=January 2011}}
* [[Caudron R.19]]{{citation needed|date=January 2011}}
* [[Caudron C.02]]
* [[Caudron C.20]]
* [[Caudron C.21]]
* [[Caudron C.22]]
* [[Caudron C.23]]
* [[Caudron C.25]]
* [[Caudron C.27]]
* [[Caudron C.33]]
* [[Caudron C.37]]
* [[Caudron C.39]]
* [[Caudron C.43]]
* [[Caudron C.51]]
* [[Caudron C.59]]
* [[Caudron C.60]]
* [[Caudron C.61]]
* [[Caudron C.61bis]]
* [[Caudron C.65]]
* [[Caudron C.66]]
* [[Caudron C.67]]
* [[Caudron C.68]]
* [[Caudron C.74]]
* [[Caudron C.77]]{{citation needed|date=January 2011}}
* [[Caudron C.81]]
* [[Caudron C.91]]
* [[Caudron C.92]]
* [[Caudron C.97]]
* [[Caudron C.98]]
* [[Caudron C.99]]
* [[Caudron C.101]]
* [[Caudron C.103]]
* [[Caudron C.104]]
* [[Caudron C.107]]
* [[Caudron C.109]]

{{Col-break}}

* [[Caudron C.110]]
* [[Caudron C.113]]
* [[Caudron C.117]]
* [[Caudron C.125]]
* [[Caudron C.127]]
* [[Caudron C.128]]
* [[Caudron C.128|Caudron C.128/2]]
* [[Caudron C.140]]
* [[Caudron C.150]]{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}
* [[Caudron C.157]]<ref name = "Aviafrance Caudron C.157">
{{cite web |url=http://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=10180&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=313&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |title=Caudron C.157 |work=Aviafrance.com |date=21 August 2003 |access-date=29 January 2011}}</ref>
* [[Caudron C.159]]<ref name = "Aviafrance Caudron C.159">
{{cite web |url=http://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=10119&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=313&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |title=Caudron C.159 |work=Aviafrance.com |date=21 August 2003 |access-date=29 January 2011}}</ref>
* [[Caudron C.160]]
* [[Caudron C.161]]
* [[Caudron C.168]]
* [[Caudron C.180]]
* [[Caudron C.183]]
* [[Caudron C.190]]
* [[Caudron C.191]]
* [[Caudron C.192]]
* [[Caudron C.193]]
* [[Caudron C.220]]
* [[Caudron C.221]]
* [[Caudron C.230]]
* [[Caudron C.232]]
* [[Caudron C.240]]
* [[Caudron C.250]]{{citation needed|date=January 2011}}
* [[Caudron C.251]]
* [[Caudron C.270]] ''Luciole''
* [[Caudron C.272]] ''Luciole''
* [[Caudron C.272/2]] ''Luciole''
* [[Caudron C.272/3]] ''Luciole''
* [[Caudron C.272/4]] ''Luciole''
* [[Caudron C.272/5]] ''Luciole''
* [[Caudron C.273]] ''Luciole''
* [[Caudron C.275]] ''Luciole''
* [[Caudron C.280]] ''Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.280/2]] ''Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.280/6]] ''Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.280/9]] ''Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.282]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.282/4]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.282/8]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.282/10]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.286]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.286/2]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.286/2.S4]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.286/4]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.286/5]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.286/6]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.286/7]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.286/8]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.286/9]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.289]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.289/2]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.340]] ''Micro Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.344]] ''Phalène Junior''
* [[Caudron C.360]]
* [[Caudron C.362]]
* [[Caudron C.366]]
* [[Caudron C.400]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.401]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.410]] ''Super Phalene''
* [[Caudron C.430]] ''Rafale''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.440 ''Goéland'']]
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.441]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.444]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.445]] ''Goéland''

{{Col-break}}

* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.445/1]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.445/2]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.445/3]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.445M]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.445R]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.446]] ''Super Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.447]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.448]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.449]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.449/1]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.449/2]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.449/3]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.449/4]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.440 Goéland|Caudron C.449/5]] ''Goéland''
* [[Caudron C.450]]
* [[Caudron C.460]]
* [[Caudron C.461]]
* [[Caudron C.480]] ''Frégate''
* [[Caudron C.490]]
* [[Caudron C.491]]
* [[Caudron C.500]] ''Simoun I''
* [[Caudron C.510]] ''Pélican''
* [[Caudron C.520]] ''Simoun''
* [[Caudron C.530]] ''Rafale''
* [[Caudron C.560]]
* [[Caudron C.561]]<ref name = "Aviafrance Caudron C.561">
{{cite web |url=http://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=750&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=313&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |title=Caudron C.561 |work=Aviafrance.com |date=21 August 2003 |access-date=29 January 2011}}</ref>
* [[Caudron C.570]]
* [[Caudron C.580]]
* [[Caudron C.600]] ''Aiglon''
* [[Caudron C.601]] ''Aiglon''
* [[Caudron C.610]] ''Aiglon''
* [[Caudron C.620]] ''Simoun IV''
* [[Caudron C.630]] ''Simoun''
* [[Caudron C.631]] ''Simoun''
* [[Caudron C.632]] ''Simoun''
* [[Caudron C.634]] ''Simoun''
* [[Caudron C.635]] ''Simoun''
* [[Caudron C.635M]] ''Simoun''
* [[Caudron C.640]] ''Typhon''
* [[Caudron C.641]] ''Typhon''
* [[Caudron C.530 Rafale|Caudron C.660]] ''Rafale''<ref name = "Aviafrance Caudron C.660">
{{cite web |url=http://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=9843&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=313&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |title=Caudron C.660 |work=Aviafrance.com |date=21 August 2003 |access-date=29 January 2011}}</ref>
* [[Caudron C.670]] ''Typhon''
* [[Caudron C.680]]
* [[Caudron C.684]]<ref name = "Aviafrance Caudron C.684">
{{cite web |url=http://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=9849&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=313&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |title=Caudron C.684 |work=Aviafrance.com |date=21 August 2003 |access-date=29 January 2011}}</ref>
* [[Caudron C.685]] ''Super Rafale''<ref name = "Aviafrance Caudron C.685">
{{cite web |url=http://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=9850&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=313&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |title=Caudron C.685 |work=Aviafrance.com |date=21 August 2003 |access-date=29 January 2011}}</ref>
* [[Caudron C.690]]
* [[Caudron C.710]] ''Cyclone''
* [[Caudron C.711]] ''Cyclone''
* [[Caudron C.712]] ''Cyclone''
* [[Caudron C.713]] ''Cyclone''
* [[Caudron C.714]] ''Cyclone''
* [[Caudron C.720]] ''Cyclone''
* [[Caudron-Renault CR.760]] ''Cyclone''
* [[Caudron-Renault CR.770]] ''Cyclone''
* [[Caudron C.800|Caudron C.800 ''Epervier'']]
* [[Caudron C.800|Caudron C.801]]
* [[Caudron C.800|Caudron C.810]]
* [[Caudron C.800|Caudron C.811]]
* [[Caudron C-815]]
* [[Caudron C.860]]
* [[Caudron C.870]]
* [[Caudron C.880]]
* [[Caudron KXC]]
* [[Caudron Navy Experimental Type C Trainer]]
* [[Caudron LEI]]{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}
{{col-end}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/caudron.html Aviation Pioneers: An Anthology – Gaston & René Caudron]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190203210956/http://www.air-racing-history.com/aircraft/Caudron%20C-460.htm Caudron C.460 at air-racing-history.com]
* [https://www.aviafrance.com/constructeur.php?ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=313 Aviafrance list of Caudron aircraft]
* [http://www.caudron-simoun.com/crbst_18.html La société des Frères Caudron ]

{{Renault}}
{{Caudron aircraft}}
{{Defunct aircraft manufacturers of France}}

[[Category:Renault]]
[[Category:Defunct aircraft manufacturers of France]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1909]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1944]]
[[Category:French companies established in 1909]]
[[Category:1944 disestablishments in France]]
[[Category:1933 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Caudron aircraft| ]]