France's Breguet Bre 690 Series bombers1,2
Breguet Bre 6912, Breguet Bre 6932, Breguet Bre 6952

Breguet Bre 695:
France's Breguet Bre 695

Design

The French air ministry issued a specification for a fighter that could also be used during the day or night in October 1934.1 The Breguet 690 prototype was 2,200 lb / 1,000 kg heavier than the specification and was initially rejected.1 However, it's rival was slower so the Breguet 690 was selected and developed into the Breguet 691.1

The engines could be removed and overhauled in 90 minutes.1

Prototype

The first flight was in 1937.1

The Bre 690 prototype was first flown on March 23, 1938.2

The Bre 691 and Bre 693 were first flown in October 1939.2

The Bre 695 was first flown in April 1940.2

Production

One hundred were initially ordered.1,2

Delays

The production of the Bre 690 series was delayed because the Potez 630 had priority for the Hispano-Suiza engines.2

Variants

Usage

By May 1940 a few units, mostly with the Groupement 18, were equipped with the Breguet 593.1

The Bre 695 did enter service in 1940 but was used by the GBA 151 of the Armée de l'Air Armistice (Vichy French Air Force) until late 1942.1

In 1943 the remaining Breguets (around 3 dozen) were transferred to Italy and used by the Regia Aeronautica as trainers.1,2

  Breguet 690 series2 Breguet Bre 6912 Breguet Bre 6931,2
Type Light attack bomber2   Attack bomber1
Crew 22   21
Engine (Type)   2: Hispano Suiza 14AB10/111,2 2: Gnome-Rhône 14M-5/71
2: Gnome-Rhône 14M6/72
Cylinders   Radial 142 Radial1, Radial 142
Cooling      
Net HP   700 each1,2 700 each1,2
Propeller blades   32  
Dimensions      
Span 50' 5"2
15.37 m2
  51' 7"1
15.73 m1
Length 33' 5"2
10.18 m2
  31' 9"1
9.67 m1
Height 10' 6"2
3.2 m2
  10' 5"1
3.19 m1
Wing area     314 ft2 1
29.2 m2 1
Weight      
Empty     6,622 lb1, 6,6362
3,010 kg1,2
Normal load     9,920 lb2
4,500 kg2
Maximum load     10,780 lb1, 10,800 lb2
4,900 kg1,2
Performance      
Speed     304 mph1
490 kph1
Speed @ 16,400' /
5,000 m
    304 mph2
489 kph2
Cruising speed     185 mph1, 186 - 248 mph2
299 kph1, 300 - 400 kph2
Climb to 13,120' /
4,000 m
    7.2 minutes2
Service ceiling     16,400'1, 27,885'2
5,000 m1, 8,500 m2
Range     837 miles1, 840 miles2
1,350 km1, 1,352 km2
Armament     1: 20 mm Hispano Suiza1
3: 7.5 mm Dame MG1
Nose 1: 20 mm2
2: 7.5 mm MG2
   
Rear firing 1: 7.5 mm MG2    
Rear cockpit 1: 7.5 mm MG2    
Engine nacelles, rear firing
Late models
2: 7.5 mm MG2    
Bombs 8: 110 lb2
8: 50 kg2
  880 lb1
400 kg1

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of World War II, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
  2. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
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