Blériot-SPAD S.34

S.34
Role	Trainer aircraft
Manufacturer	Blériot
Designer	André Herbemont
First flight	16 July 1920
Introduction	1920
Retired	1936
Primary users	French Air Force Finnish Air Force
Number built	150

The Blériot-SPAD S.34 was a French twin-seat, single-engine biplane flight training aircraft designed in 1920. The side-by-side seating arrangement was unique for its time. 150 aircraft were built, 125 for the French Air Force, who used them until 1936.

The Finnish Air Force purchased two S.34s in 1921. Due to inadequate maintenance they did not last long and were withdrawn from service by 1925.

Variants

Bleriot-SPAD S.34-1

First Bleriot-SPAD S.34 prototype.

Bleriot-SPAD S.34-2

Second Bleriot-SPAD S.34 prototype.

Bleriot-SPAD S.34-3

Third Bleriot-SPAD S.34 prototype.

Bleriot-SPAD S.34

Two-seat primary trainer biplane.

Bleriot-SPAD S.34 bis

Improved variant, powered by a 130-hp (97-kW) Clêrget 9B rotary piston engine. Three were built for the Aéronavale.

Operators

France

• Aéronautique Militaire - (119 aircraft)
• Aéronavale - (6 S.34-bis aircraft)
• Blériot flying school - (16 aircraft)

Argentina

• (6 aircraft)

Finland

• Finnish Air Force - (2 aircraft)

Bolivia

• Bolivian Air Force (1 aircraft)

Specifications (S.34)

Data from Suomen Ilmavoimat I 1918-27

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 8.2 m (26 ft 11 in)
• Height: 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)
• Wing area: m² (ft²)
• Empty weight: kg (lb)
• Useful load: kg (kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 700 kg (1540 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Le Rhône 9C, 60 kW (80 hp)

Performance

• Never exceed speed: km/h (knots, mph)
• Maximum speed: 130 km/h (70 knots, 81 mph)
• Cruise speed: km/h (knots, mph)
• Stall speed: km/h (knots, mph)
• Range: km (nm, mi)
• Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13100 ft)
• Rate of climb: m/min ()
• Wing loading: kg/m² (lb/ft²)
• Power/mass: W/kg (hp/lb)

References

• Keskinen, Kalevi; Partonen, Kyösti and Stenman, Kari: Suomen Ilmavoimat I 1918-27, 2005. ISBN 952-99432-2-9.
• Keskinen, Kalevi; Stenman, Kari and Niska, Klaus: Suomen ilmavoimien lentokoneet 1918-1939, Tietoteos, 1976.

External links

• "1921 Paris Air Salon: SPAD 34" FLIGHT, November 24, 1921, page 778 for photo and page 779 for description