How many projects competed in France before the Caravelle?

Short answer

Twenty: the Comité du matériel civil received 20 different designs after its medium-range specification of 12 October 1951. On 28 March 1952 the shortlist came down to three: the four-engined SNCASO S.0.60, the Hurel-Dubois two-Avon project, and the three-engined SNCASE X-210.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many projects competed in France before the Caravelle?

Lockheed XP-80 "Lulu Belle

Twenty proposals for a medium-range aircraft

On 12 October 1951 the Comité du matériel civil issued a specification for a medium-range aircraft. The request, sent to industry by the Direction Technique et Industrielle, called for an aircraft for 55 to 65 passengers. In all, 20 different designs arrived.

Three finalists and a redesign

On 28 March 1952, after examining the entries, the Committee announced that it had narrowed the list to three contenders. Those chosen were the four-engined Avon/Marbore SNCASO S.0.60, the twin-Avon Hurel-Dubois project and the three-engined Avon SNCASE X-210. That X-210 was Sud-Est's three-Avon proposal. The Committee asked SNCASE to resubmit its X-210 as a two-Avon design. Two months after resubmitting it, SNCASE received official notification that its design had been accepted.

From competition to production aircraft

On 27 May 1955 the first prototype made its maiden flight with two British Rolls-Royce RA-26 Avon Mk.522 engines. The flight lasted 41 minutes. SNCASE estimated that the savings did not justify moving the engines from their rear position, which ended up favouring the design because cabin noise was greatly reduced. In all, 282 Caravelles of all types were built: two prototypes or pre-production aircraft and 280 production aircraft.