The longest of all “Caravelle” variants was the Model 12, whose prototype first took to the skies on October 29, 1970. In January of the same year, the French aviation firms “Sud Aviation,” “Nord Aviation,” and SEPEP merged into a new organization named “Aérospatiale.” Therefore, the Model 12 appeared on the market as the “Caravelle 12” from Aérospatiale.
Development and Design
Developed on the basis of the “Super B,” it featured a fuselage lengthened to 36.24 meters, thanks to two new sections: a 2-meter section in front and a 1.21-meter section behind the wing. The take-off weight did not increase compared to the “Super B” model. The installation of JT8D-9 engines, with a thrust of 6580 kgf, improved the aircraft’s flight characteristics.
Capabilities and Performance
The “Caravelle” 12 could carry 128 passengers in tourist class, but typically 118 seats were installed to provide passengers with more comfort. These aircraft were also operated in mixed configurations, featuring both first-class and tourist-class cabins.
Legacy and Production End
Production of the “Caravelle” 12 concluded in 1973, marking the end of the most famous French passenger aircraft. Of the 280 aircraft manufactured, 216 belonged to the first generation with “Avon” family engines. For a European firm, this represented a respectable commercial success.
Although turbofan engines (ТРДД) improved the aircraft’s flight characteristics and transport efficiency, they did not meet the developers’ expectations. “Caravelle” modifications with turbofan engines did not achieve widespread adoption. These were deliveries in several small batches to a large number of traditional customers. By the early 1970s, “Caravelles” were being outcompeted in the world market by new-generation aircraft for medium and short routes, which were initially designed for turbofan engines.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Caravelle 12 |
| Wingspan, m | 34.30 |
| Length, m | 36.24 |
| Height, m | 9.00 |
| Wing area, m2 | 147.87 |
| Empty weight | 31800 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 58000 |
| Internal fuel, l | 19000 |
| Engine type | 2 Turbojet engines Pratt Whitney JT8D-9 |
| Thrust, kgf | 2 x 6580 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 825 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 800 |
| Practical range, km | 2750 |
| Range with maximum payload, km | 1870 |
| Practical ceiling, m | 9750 |
| Crew | 3 |
| Payload | 104 passengers in two-class cabin or 130 in economy class or 140 maximum or 13200 kg of cargo |
Image gallery of the Caravelle 12
