CAMS 56: Origin and Development
In 1928, the Chantiers Aeromaritimes de la Seine (CAMS) company built four transport flying boats, designated CAMS 56. This aircraft was a variant of the CAMS 53, equipped with 480 hp Gnome & Rhone 9Akx engines. These engines were a French licensed version of the British Bristol Jupiter, leading to its initial designation as CAMS 53-3.
Deployment and Performance
While the new engine slightly decreased flight speed, it significantly increased the flight range to 1160 kilometers. All four flying boats were delivered in 1929 to Compagnie Generale Aeropostale (a division of Air-Union), which utilized them on its Mediterranean routes, proving their reliability in transport operations.
The CAMS 57 Variant
In the same year, another transport flying boat variant, the CAMS 57 (or CAMS 53R), was proposed to Air-Union. This model was powered by 480 hp Renault 12Jb liquid-cooled engines. However, this new version did not generate much interest and, as a result, only a single unit was built, remaining a unique prototype.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | CAMS 56 |
| Wingspan, m | 20. 40 |
| Length, m | 14. 82 |
| Height, m | 5. 52 |
| Wing area, m2 | 113. 55 |
| Empty weight | 4100 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 6500 |
| Engine type | 2 Piston engines Gnome & Rhone 9Akx |
| Power, hp | 2 x 480 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 216 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 160 |
| Practical range, km | 1160 |
| Rate of climb, m/min | 138 |
| Service ceiling, m | 3600 |
| Crew, crew members | 2 |
| Payload: | 4 passengers |
Image gallery of the CAMS 56
