France's Breguet Bre 690 Series Bombers¹

Breguet 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 One hundred were initially ordered.¹

The first flight was in 1937.¹

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

Variants

• Bre 690: initial prototype to be a fighter.¹
• Bre 691: production model that became the ground attack plane.¹ Had the Hispano-Suiza 14AB10/11 engines.¹ These were 700 hp.¹
• Bre 692: New fighter design to meet the initial specifications.¹
• Bre 693: had Gnome-Rhône engines.¹
• Bre 695: had 2 Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp radials.¹ 50 produced.¹
• Bre 697: a fighter prototype based on the Bre 692.¹
• Bre 700: Was to be the production version of the Bre 697.¹

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 were transferred to Italy and used by the Regia Aeronautica as trainers.¹

Sources:

1. Aircraft of World War II, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004