Nord Pingouin

The Nord Pingouin (, Auk) was a French built and re-engined Messerschmitt Bf 108 produced by SNCAN (Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Nord) - not to be confused with Nord Aviation (which was a state-owned French aircraft manufacturer created in 1954 upon the acquisition of SFECMAS by SNCAN).

Development
In 1942 the manufacture of the Messerschmitt Bf 108 was transferred to SNCAN (usually known as Nord) at Les Mureaux in occupied France. Before the liberation 170 Bf 108s were built and Nord continued to build the aircraft using scavenged Bf 108 airframe parts as the Nord 1000, until stocks of German Argus engines were exhausted. The type was then re-engined with a 233hp (174kW) Renault 6Q 11 six-cylinder inline engine and was designated the Nord 1001 Pingouin I. A further update followed with a Renault 6Q 10-powered variant which was designated the Nord 1002 Pingouin II. Total production was 286 with the majority used as communications and liaison aircraft with the French armed forces.

The design was further developed with the tricycle landing gear Nord Noralpha.

Design
The Pingouin was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a braced trimmable horizontal tail surface combined with elevators, and single fin and rudder. It had a tailwheel landing gear with outward retracting main gear. The engine was nose-mounted and it had an enclosed cabin that seated four in two rows of two. Like the Bf 108, the wings had automatic leading edge slats and could be folded when the aircraft was on the ground, allowing the complete aircraft to be transported by rail.

Variants

 * 1000
 * French-built Bf 108.


 * 1001 Pingouin I
 * Renault 6Q 11-powered variant.


 * 1002 Pingouin II
 * Renault 6Q 10-powered variant.

Operators

 * French Air Force
 * French Army
 * French Navy
 * French Navy