picture 181613

The Loire 130 was a ‘flying boat’ made by Loire Aviation of St. Nazaire in the 1930s, in response to the requirement from the French Navy for a reconnaissance aircraft that could serve aboard battleships and cruisers. It entered series production in 1937 and except on battleships and cruisers, served aboard the seaplane tender Commandant Teste. Although proving obsolete and having only marginal performance, it remained in service throughout the Second World War. This example was operated by the squadron 8S in Indochina of the 1940s and saw operations during the war against Thailand in 1941. (Artwork by Jean-Marie Guillou)