Besson MB.411

The Besson MB.411 was a French two-seat spotter and observation floatplane, designed by Besson.

Development
In 1932, Besson created the MB.410 by replacing the twin floats of the MB.35 with a single main float and two outrigger floats just inboard of the wingtips. The engine was cowled and fuselage streamlining was improved. The prototype was destroyed in a fatal accident during testing.

The French Navy required a spotter aircraft for its new submarine Surcouf, and ordered a production version, designated MB.411.

Operational history
The first MB.411 served from September 1935, until the sinking of the Surcouf off the West Indies in February 1942. This is not true. In 1940, Surcouf was based in Cherbourg, but in May, when the Germans invaded, she was being refitted in Brest. With only one engine functioning and with a jammed rudder, she limped across the English Channel and sought refuge in Plymouth. Surcouf was being refit and the plane was not on board when the sub left Brest. It was still not aboard when they USN did work on the sub in New Hampshire after crossing the Atlantic before going to Bermuda then being sunk.

The second aircraft served the Aeronavale Escadrille 7-S-4 ar St Mandrier.

Variants

 * MB.41 – original prototype powered by a single 135 hp Salmson 9Nc.
 * MB-411 – production version intended for operation from submarines but eventually only operated from large warships.

Operators

 * French Navy
 * French Navy