The Aeronavale were fairly regular visitors to Luton in the early 80's. Still current in 2024 with the French Air Force coded ZE.

Assigned to Flottille 4F stationed at Lann Bihoué. Preserved at the Conservatoire de l'Air et de l'Espace d'Aquitaine - CAEA, Bordeaux from 2010.

One of two French Navy Dakota's from 56S visiting Luton on a training flight. This one is the former USAAF 42-100521 which operated in Europe during WWII. To the US civil register as NC65384 on 26 Apr 1948. To N308SF on 26 Mar 1953. To N45V on 28 Feb 1962. To the Aeronavale as 18954 on 05 Mar 1963, later to 84. To the US as N98BF in Sep 1985 for Basler Flight Services. To Dodson Int' Corp as N308SF on 11 Aug 1992. Shipped to Coventry on 17 Jan 2017 where restoration is carrying on to restore her as 42-100521. Eventually to be based at Membury in flying condition.

One of two French Navy Dakota's from 56S visiting Luton on a training flight. This one is the former USAAF 42-23936 and operated during WWII in North Africa and Europe. Later going to CSA as OK-WDU until 1958. From 1958 to 1983 with the Aeronavale as 36. in 1983 to France as F-GEOM with Stellair and later Transvalair. To the UK in 1994 as G-DAKK with Classic Airways, South Coast Airways and Air Atlantique. In 2006 moved to storage at the Aviadrome in Lelystad. Currently with Classic Wings for restoration. Registration G-DAKK still current in 2024.

On static display from Escadrille de Servitude 11S of the French Navy. Preserved at Musee de l'Aeronautique Navale, Rochefort-Soubise.

slide taken by Norbert Kröpfl.

From 14F of the French Navy. To store at Dugny.

Delivered new to the French Navy (Aeronavale) around 1974/75. To F-WIQF in 1993. To the US civil register as N6190U in Jul 1993. Still current in 2024. The French Navy were regular visitors to Luton in the early 80's.

France produced an armada of large flying boat types. The prototype 01 of the four-engine Br 730 maritime patrol aircraft flew in April 1938 but crashed in July. This seems to be the first production machine, No 1, but confirmation is sought. No 1 was completed in Vichy French colours but not flown until December 1944 after the liberation of southern France. On one photo it seems to wear invasion stripes. This would be a later shot. The aircraft entered service as a transport, named Véga. It crashed in Arzew, Algeria in January 1949. Three more aircraft were completed, Sirius, Altair and Bellatrix, the latter two to Br 731 standard with a redesigned nose.

Photographer: Unknown photographer.

Photo by Alain Grea.

On static display at a sunny RIAT 1996.

Withdrawn from use in 2017.