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France's Lioré et Olivier LeO 451 bomber1,2
Lioré et Olivier LeO 451:
Lioré et Olivier LeO 451:
Design
After the French Air Force became independent on April 1, 1934, many plans were laid down to expand the force.1 The LeO 45 was to be a fast heavy bomber that could be used day or night from medium altitudes.1 A requirement was put forth in 1934 for a metal constructed medium bomber.2
Bomb Bay
The bomb bay could have fuel tanks installed instead of bombs.2
Prototype
The LeO 45-01 prototype was first flown on January 16, 1937, with Hispano-Suiza 14 radial engines.1
The LeO 45.01 prototype was first flown on January 16, 1937, with Hispano-Suiza 14AA radial engines (1,100 HP).2
The engines were a source of constant trouble and were replaced by Gnome-Rhône 14N radial engines in the production models.1,2
The LeO 451 prototype first flew in October 1938.2
Production
The first LeO 451 B4 flew in March 1939.2
Greece ordered twelve but these were never delivered.2
- By 1939: 600 on order2, 749 on order1
- LeO 45: 22
- LeO 451 B4: 6772
Variants
- LeO 45: Prototype.1,2 Had Hispano-Suiza engines.2
- LeO 451: Prototype.2 With Gnome-Rhône engines.2
- LeO 451 B4: Main production version.2
- LeO 451C 12: Transport.2 Carried 12 passengers.2 Converted from a LeO 451 B4.2
- LeO 451T 17: Transport.2 Carried 15 passengers.2 Converted from a LeO 451 B4.2
- LeO 453: Post war conversions.2 Had Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engines installed.2
Usage
The LeO 451s were used by France, Germany, and Italy.2
Start of War
At the start of the war in 1939, there were only 10 LeO 451s in the Armée de l'Air.1
The GB I/31, GB I/12, and GB II/12 were the first units equipped with the LeO 451s.1 By May 1940 these were still the only units that had the LeO 451.1
Heavy Losses
After the Germans invasion they LeO 451s were used for low level ground support.1 It was a task for which they were ill suited and resulted in heavy losses.1
The LeO 451s were also used in bombing missions in Germany and northern Italy.2
Out of the 373 LeO 451s delivered by June 1940, 150 were lost.1
After the Fall of France
Once France fell production still continued in the unoccupied zone.1 225 LeO 451s were completed.2 They were used in North Africa and Syria with the Vichy forces and some of these were used against the Allies.1
Seized by Germans
In November 1942 the Germans took over the unoccupied zone of France and seized ~902 / 941 LeO 451s.1,2
Seized by Allies
Some LeO 451s were used by the USAAF and RAF as transports.2
Post War
Surviving aircraft were used by the French well into the 1950s.2
| Lioré et Olivier LeO 4511,2 | Lioré et Olivier LeO 451 B42 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Bomber1,2 | Bomber2 |
| Crew | 41,2 | 42 |
| Engine (Type) | 2: Gnome-Rhône 14N 48/49 piston1 | 2: Gnome-Rhône 14N 48/492 |
| Cylinders | Radial1 | Radial 142 |
| Cooling | ||
| Net HP | 1,060 each1 | 1,140 each2 |
| Propeller blades | 3 each2 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 73' 10.5"1 22.52 m1 |
73' 10.5"2 22.52 m2 |
| Length | 56' 4"1 17.17 m1 |
56' 4"2 17.17 m2 |
| Height | 17' 2.25"1 5.24 m1 |
17' 2"2 5.23 m2 |
| Wing area | 710.4 ft2 1 66 m2 1 |
|
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 16,600 lb1 7,530 kg1 |
17,225 lb2 7,813 kg2 |
| Loaded | 25,132 lb1 11,400 kg1 |
25,133 lb2 11,400 kg2 |
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 15,748' / 4,8000 m |
307 mph2 494 kph2 |
|
| Speed @ 15,750' / 4,800 m |
298 mph1 480 kph1 |
|
| Cruising speed | 227 - 261 mph2 365 - 420 kph2 |
|
| Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m |
14 minutes2 | |
| Service ceiling | 29,530'1 9,000 m1 |
29,530'2 9,000 m2 |
| Range | 1,802 miles1 2,900 km1 |
1,802 miles2 2,900 km2 |
| Range with 1,100 lb / 500 kg load | 1,430 miles2 2,300 km2 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 1: 7.5 mm MG2 | |
| Forward firing in gondola | 1: 7.5 mm MAC 1934 M391 | |
| Rear firing | 2: 7.5 mm MAC 1934 M391 | |
| Dorsal turret | 1: 20 mm H54041 | 1: 20 mm2 2: 7.5 mm MG (added later)2 |
| Ventral turret | 1: 7.5 mm MG2 | |
| Bombs | 3,086 lb1 1,400 kg1 |
4,409 lb2 2,000 kg2 |
Sources:
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
