SNCAC NC 1080

The SNCAC NC.1080 was a prototype single-seat carrier-based fighter aircraft first flown on 29 July 1949. Development was discontinued following an unexplained accident on 10 April 1950, and the contest, for which the design was intended, was eventually rendered moot when the Aéronavale adopted the de Havilland Sea Venom in 1952.

Design and development
The project was originally funded by SNCAC and directed by Ingenieur Pillon, the objective was to create a single-seat shipboard fighter, competing against the Arsenal VG 90 and the Nord 2200. On 29 July 1949, the aircraft had its first test flight and immediately issues were raised with the spoilers and tailplane controls. Meanwhile SNCAC had dispersed, but further tests of the aircraft were carried out independently at Bretigny and Villaroche. On 10 April 1950, during an air test flown by Pierre Gallay the plane crashed for unknown reasons and further development was immediately halted, the plane being destroyed beyond repair.

The NC.1080 was fitted with a 2,268 kg Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet, and was designed to be capable of carrying three 30mm cannons. It was a low-wing monoplane of all-metal construction.