One of several French six-engined transatlantic flying boat designs, the Lioré et Olivier H-49 was built as the SE.200 Amphitrite, named for the wife of Poseidon. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 11 December 1942. Taken by the Germans, it was sunk by RAF Mosquitos at Lake Constance in April 1944. A USAAF raid destroyed or damaged four more airframes under construction at Marignane. No 03 was completed and flown after the war. It was written off after a hard landing at the Étang de Berre in October 1949. It is seen here in the old port of Marseille with the Église Saint-Ferréol les Augustins.

Departing with 02/709FD, the 'Mustang X-Ray' team. Note that these aircraft do not have hyphens in their codes, unlike most French military machines.

Rafale Solo display and its spare waiting for the Airexpo airshow participation the day after.

Aircraft of ETR 3/4 'Acquitaine' which trains naval Rafale pilots too.

Ex 62-HA.

Change of Military Code

Issoudun was a large training aerodrome comprising 15 separate airfields within close proximity. It was mainly occupied by the US Army. The aerodrome closed after World War I and reverted to farming. Today's Issoudun-le-Fay airport was not part of the World War I complex. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

A French air force aircraft being shown to cadets at what was then Hazelhurst airfield. The US Army Air Service bought Nieuport 27s for use as trainers. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland