How far did Guilbaud fly with the CAMS 37GR?

Short answer

22,600 km (14,000 mi) in 38 stages without incident. Guilbaud left the Étang de Berre on 12 October 1926 in the CAMS 37GR, with a Lioré-Olivier LeO H-194, on a demonstration flight to Madagascar. According to one account, a broken connecting rod on 3 January 1927 forced him to abandon it and return to Marseille; according to another, he reached Madagascar before returning.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How far did Guilbaud fly with the CAMS 37GR?

CAMS 37 GR 3 view Les Ailes October 28, 1926

From reconnaissance to the great flights

The CAMS 37 was a French biplane flying boat of the 1920s designed for military reconnaissance, but which ended up being used in a wide variety of roles. The 37GR — for "Grand Raids" — was a single long-range aircraft converted from the 37C prototype, flown by Lieutenant de vaisseau Guilbaud. Guilbaud was famous above all for his long-distance flights, crossing Africa by seaplane in 1926 and 1927, first with a Lioré et Olivier LeO H-190 and later with a CAMS 37.

22,600 km in 38 stages

The departure took place on 12 October 1926 from the Étang de Berre, in company with a Lioré-Olivier LeO H-194, on a demonstration flight bound for Madagascar. Over the course of the journey Guilbaud covered 22,600 km (14,000 mi) in 38 stages without incident.

A broken connecting rod in January 1927

According to one account, on 3 January 1927 the engine broke a connecting rod, which led Guilbaud to abandon the flight to Madagascar and return to Marseille via Sudan, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, Malta and Tunisia. According to another, the flight reached Madagascar before returning to Marseille.