Caudron C.230 / C.232 / C.233 / C.235
![]() C.230
Designed by Paul Deville, the Caudron C.230 was a two-seat light biplane with equal-span unstaggered single-bay wings. The upper wing centre-section was braced to the fuselage by four short vertical steel-tube struts; the outer panels, which could be folded, had a pair of vertical spruce inter-plane struts on each side. Ailerons were fitted on the lower wing only. The wooden fuselage structure was fabric-covered, and the cantilever tailplane had a wood frame and was plywood-covered. Each main unit of the wide-track fixed landing gear incorporated a vertical compression leg. The pilot and a single passenger sat in tandem open cockpits.
The prototype Caudron C.230 made its maiden flight in November 1930, piloted by Raymond Delmotte.
The C.230 was powered by a 71kW Salmson radial engine and 15 were built, to be followed by a number of variants.
![]() Caudron C.232
C.232 is identical to the C.230 except for the Renault engine which replaces the Salmson radial.
The C.232 is a biplane with a 95 hp Renault engine, mainly of wood construction, folding wings, and a steel tube undercarriage. An 85 lt fuel tank is mounted in the top centre section.
The C.232 was introduced into Britain by B.N Aircraft Ltd of Heston Air Park.
![]() C.232
Variants:
C.230
first production version with Salmson 7Ac radial engine (15 built)
C.232
50 built, powered by a Renault 4Pb inline engine in place of the Salmson radial of the same horsepower; the fuselage had plywood covering.
C.232/2
Three built; same as C.232 but with wheel brakes.
C.232/4
Seven built. Identical to C.232/2 except improved equipment.
C.233
A single prototype powered by the unsuccessful Michel AM-16 engine. Later fitted with Salmson engine becoming a C.230
C.235
One airframe fitted with a German Argus As 8R 75kW inline for French Air Ministry tests of this engine.
Specifications:
C.232
Engine: Renault 4Pb, 71 kW / 95 hp
Wingspan: 11.00 m / 36 ft 1 in
Wing area: 24.0 m2 / 258.33 ft2
Length: 7.87 m / 25 ft 10 in
Gross weight: 780 kg / 1715 lb
Empty weight: 420 kg / 926 lb
Fuel capacity: 85 lt / 18.75 Imp.Gal
Luggage capacity: 50 kg / 110 lb
Max. Speed: 165 km/h / 103 mph
Top speed: 150 km / 93 mph
Cruise speed: 130 kph / 81 mph
Ceiling: 4300 m / 13,100 ft
Time to 4300 m / 13,100 ft: 1 hr
Range: 500 km / 310 miles
Endurance: 4 hr
Seats: 2
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