This rare Nord 3400 was restored just before the photograph was taken... and sadly crashed shortly after.

150 Nord 3400 were manufactured to fulfil an ALAT (French Army Aviation) need for an observation aircraft, entering service in 1960.

First flown in January 1958 and intended to replace the Piper Pa18 and Cessna L-19 in service with the ALAT, two prototypes were followed by 150 production aircraft. Built between 1959 and 1961, principally for use in Algeria, the type was not particularly successful, quickly being superseded by helicopters in its observation and Medevac role.

The first flight was made as French Army 78 on 21-Jun-1960. Its last flight was on 14-Sep-1977 and in Apr-1978 it went into storage. Next the aircraft was assigned to the Musée de l'Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre in Dax. In May-1993 it went to Association Epsilon who sold it. In Apr-1996 it was registered as F-AZRC. In 2012 it was acquired by the Musée Régional de l'Air who are restoring it and hope to fly it in the future.

The first flight was made as French Army 78 on 21-Jun-1960. Its last flight was on 14-Sep-1977 and in Apr-1978 it went into storage. Next the aircraft was assigned to the Musée de l'Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre in Dax. In May-1993 it went to Association Epsilon who sold it. In Apr-1996 it was registered as F-AZRC. In 2012 it was acquired by the Musée Régional de l'Air who are restoring it and hope to fly it in the future.

The first flight was made as French Army 78 on 21-Jun-1960. Its last flight was on 14-Sep-1977 and in Apr-1978 it went into storage. Next the aircraft was assigned to the Musée de l'Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre in Dax. In May-1993 it went to Association Epsilon who sold it. In Apr-1996 it was registered as F-AZRC. In 2012 it was acquired by the Musée Régional de l'Air who are restoring it and hope to fly it in the future.

Some 150 Norbarbes were built as artillery observation planes for the French army, ALAT. Six of these were later passed on to the Gendarmerie (Federal Police) until they were replaced by helicopters

Seen in the Musée de l'Epopée et de l'Industrie Aéronautique. The Norbarbe was a two seat single engined observation aircraft performing a similar role to the British Auster AOP9. The type first flew in 1958 and 131 were built.

Seen in the Musée de l'Epopée et de l'Industrie Aéronautique. The Norbarbe was a two seat single engined observation aircraft performing a similar role to the British Auster AOP9. The type first flew in 1958 and 131 were built. I had never seen one before but there are three in this magnificent collection