Sud-Ouest Triton

The Sud-Ouest SO.6000 Triton was the first French jet aircraft to be manufactured and was completed during the 1940s by SNCASO. The SO.6000 design began in 1943, as a clandestine project due to the German occupation, under engineer Lucien Servanty. Shortly after the war, the French government required five prototypes to be built.

Design and development
The two-seater was originally planned to receive a French-designed Rateau-Anxionnaz GTS-65 jet engine. But because of delays in the development of this engine, a German Junkers Jumo 004-B2 was fitted aboard the first prototype, which flew on 11 November 1946 at the hands of test pilot Daniel Rastel.

The second prototype was used for static testing, and the three others were powered by a license-built Rolls-Royce Nene jet engine.

Further development was abandoned and the SO.6000 was not used operationally.

Variants

 * SO. 6000J Triton - Powered by a Junkers JuMo 109-004 engine, One built.
 * SO. 6000N Triton - Three production aircraft powered by a Rolls-Royce Nene engine.

Surviving aircraft
SO.6000N Triton No. 03 F-WFKY is exhibited in the Musee de l'Air et de l'Espace at Le Bourget Airport to the north of Paris. This aircraft incorporates parts from No. 05 F-WFKX.