Frrom FR038 - Potez 25 A2/B2 Hispano 1/72

Associated with Marcel Bloch in the S.E.A. during World War I, Henry Potez founded the Société des Avions Potez in 1921 and entrusted Louis Coroller with the study of the Potez 25." Of mixed wood and metal construction, equipped with a 450 hp Lorraine-Dietrich 12 Eb engine, the prototype of this biplane made its first flight probably in early 1925.

The first prototype, the 25.1, was entrusted to the S.T.A.é in 1925. The second prototype, unarmed, carried out a series of circuits and raids in Europe that demonstrated the reliability of the Lorraine engine and aircraft, but brought some modifications, including an increase in wingspan, which increased to 14.14 m.

The Potez 25 is one of the most built French aircraft between the two World Wars. Exported to about twenty countries, it was fitted to three main types of engines (Lorraine 12 Eb, Hispano-Suiza, G&R Jupiter) and was still in service during World War II. Very versatile, it fits two types of landing gear (Potez and Messier) and three drifts

The Potez 25 A2/B2 Hispano-Suiza is used by the following air forces: Abyssinia (3), Greece (30), Romania (12), Switzerland (5), Uruguay (1), Yugoslavia (10), France (Ministerial Squadron).

Yugoslavia obtained a production license for 300 Potez 25 Jupiter in 1925, and also urgently ordered 40 Potez 25 in France (10 Hispano and 30 Lorraine). Yugoslav Potez 25 were used until 1941, with some Hispano or Lorraine being re-engined into Jupiter. A few Yugoslav Potez 25 are recovered by the Croats.

In parallel with the 6 Jupiter-powered Potez 25 A2s (851 to 854, 859 and 860) delivered in 1927, Switzerland acquired 4 500 hp (855 to 858 hp) 12 GB HS-50-powered A2 aircraft, with a fifth (853) being commissioned in 1931. These aircraft are modified during service, mainly drift increases to 2.44m. Swiss Potez 25 were used in the Flieger-Abteilung II until 1940.

Romania, in 1927, began construction under license of Potez 25 Lorraine, but also acquired, in 1928, twelve Potez Hispano (with 500 hp 12 HB engine) that could be configured as a monoplane or biplane. Three Potez 25 Hispano entered the Petite Entente competitions and Poland which began in August 1928 in Czechoslovakia.

In 1930 Greece ordered 30 450 hp Hispano-Suiza 12 Jb 12 A2 Pot. The devices would be delivered in 1931. They are coded Sigma 1 to 30 and intervene during the 1935 coup d’état. 17 are still in service during the Italian attack of October 1940, until the German intervention of April 1941. Although outdated, they are used for lack of other means available for reconnaissance missions. In 1940, the devices were camouflaged.

Specifications: Two-seater reconnaissance (A2) and bombing (B2) biplane. 500hp Hispano-Suiza 12GB Engine. Wingspan 14.14m, length 9.20m. Maximum speed 230 km/h, theoretical ceiling 7,300 m, maximum mass 2,500 kg. Armament: 1 Vickers fixed machine gun, 2 Lewis machine guns on TO7 lookout, 1 Lewis ventral machine gun. Offensive Weapon (B2): Up to 400kg bombs.

Documentation:

Potez 25, collective, Lela Presse (in French)

IAR-Potez 25, Supplement Modelist No.1, Dan Antoniu and George Cicos, Romanian and English

L'Aviation Française en Indochine, 1910-1945, M. Ledet, C. Cony, L. Morareau, Lela Presse (French, 640 p)

Camouflages:

Camo A:Potez 25 B2 Royal Hellenic Air Force, Sigma 3. The right wing has not been camouflaged, or has been taken over from another aircraft. Captured with 5 others (including Sigma 2, 5 and 6). Athens-Tatoi Airfield, late April or May 1941.

Camo B: Royal Romanian Air Force Pot 25 A2. Entered the Petite Entente and Poland air competition in 1928. Pilot Cne Gheorghe Ceausu, Observer Cne Adrian Casolteanu, Ranked 6th. Prague, August 1928.

Camo C: Potez 25 A2 of the Royal Romanian Aeronautics, first Potez Hispano delivered to Romania in 1928, in monoplane configuration (it takes 15 minutes to switch from biplane to monoplane). Entered in the Petite Entente and Poland air competition in 1928. Pilot Lt Gheorghe Stefanescu, observer Lt-Col Stefan Protopopescu, term 4th. Prague, August 1928.

Camo D: Yugoslav Potez 25, seen in the Petite Entente and Poland air competition in 1928. The white 1 is a provisional number assigned for the contest. Pilot Cne Hinko Hubl, Observer Lt Miodrag Loyik, Unclassified. Prague, August 1928