The 763 and 765 transport aircraft were the production developments of the 761, the design of which began in 1944. The prototype 761 powered by four 1,192kW SNECMA 14R engines and first flew on 15 February 1949. A pre-series of three aircraft, designated 761S, was then produced, powered by 1,490kW Pratt & Whitney R-2800 B31 engines.
The 763 was the first production version of the Deux Ponts. Twelve were ordered by Air France in 1951, powered by four 1,788kW R-2800 CA18 engines. The inaugural flight was on 16 March 1953, on the Algiers-Marseilles-Lyon-Marseilles-Tunis run. The plane, powered by four 2400-hp Pratt & Whitney Double Wasps, carried some 107 passengers, 59 in tourist class on an upper deck and 48 in a second-class cabin below; alternatively, 135 could be carried in economy class. They were used mainly on routes to North Africa, but some have worked extra peak-period services to London Airport.
In 1958 a Breguet 763 make a demonstration tour, including New York’s International Airport at Idlewild.
The fuselage was generally similar to that of the 761, but the wing span was increased and the wings were reinforced. It was a convertible passenger/cargo airliner with standard accommodation for 59 tourist-class passengers on the upper deck and 48 second-class passengers on the lower.
The 765 Sahara was the military transport version with accommodation for 146 fully equipped troops, 85 stretchers and medical attendants or freight (including military vehicles loaded through the large rear-opening ramp). Fifteen were ordered for the French Air Force in 1956 powered by Pratt & Whitney R-2800 GB-16 or CB-17 engines. The first flew on 6 September 1958.
The Bre.764 was a special maritime patrol/anti-submarine version of the Breguet Deux-Ponts. It was fitted with tip-tanks and dorsal/ventral turrets and radome.
Br.761
Engines: 4 x Gnome et Rhone 14R
Wingspan: 136 ft 6 in
Top speed: 323 mph
Engine: 4 x P+W R-2800 CA18 Double Wasp, 2400 hp / 1765kW
Wingspan: 43.0 m / 141 ft 1 in
Length: 28.9 m / 94 ft 10 in
Height: 9.9 m / 32 ft 6 in
Wing area: 185.4 sq.m / 1995.63 sq ft
Take-off weight: 51600 kg / 113759 lb
Empty weight: 32241 kg / 71080 lb
Cruise speed: 380 km/h / 236 mph
Ceiling: 6000 m / 19700 ft
Range w/max.fuel: 4000 km / 2486 miles
Range w/max.payload: 2300 km / 1429 miles
Crew: 2-5
Passengers: 107-135
Breguet 763 Provence
Engines: 4 x Pratt and Whitney Double Wasp CA-18 2,400 hp
Span: 140ft
Wing area: 1996 sq.ft
Length: 94 ft 11 in
Height: 31 ft 4 in
Empty weight: 55,8890 lb
Loaded weight: 110,230 lb
Max cruise: 230 mph at 9842 ft
ROC: 740 fpm
Range: 2367 mi
All Aero 