Potez 32

Potez 32 and 33
Role	Transport monoplane
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Potez
First flight	1928
Primary user	French Air Force
Number built	102
Developed from	Potez 29

The Potez 32 and its military version the Potez 33 was a single-engine French monoplane transport built by Potez and based on the 29 biplane.

Development

The Potez 32 was based on the 29 biplane; it used the same fuselage, tail unit and landing gear of the 29, but was a high-wing strut-braced monoplane. The 32 was either a five-passenger transport or mail plane. The first aircraft was flown in 1928 and was followed by 54 production aircraft.

The militarized version the Potez 33 was first flown in 1928 and designed as a liaison or observation aircraft or could be used as a pilot or observer trainer. The 33 was fitted with dual controls and had large observation windows, it also had a dorsal machine gun position and could carry light bombs on under-fuselage racks.

Variants

Potez 32

Civil variant powered by a Salmson 9Ab engine, prototype and 31 production aircraft.

Potez 32/2

Civil variant powered by a 171 kW (230 hp) Lorraine 7Ma engine, one built.

Potez 32/3

Civil export variant for Canada with a 164 kW (220 hp) Wright J-5 radial engine, seven built.

Potez 32/4

Civil variant powered by a 283 kW (380 hp) Gnome-Rhône 9A and a small increase in wing area, nine built and five converted for Potez 32.

Potez 32/5

Experimental variant with a Hispano-Suiza 9Qd engine, one built.

Potez 33/1

Military variant with a 171 kW (230 hp) Lorraine 7Me, two built for Portugal.

Potez 33/2

Military production variant with a Salmson 9Ab, 40 built for Brazilian and French Air Forces.

Potez 33/3

Military variant for Belgium with a 224 kW (300 hp) Gnome-Rhône 7Kdrs radial, four built.

Potez 33/4

Military variant for Belgium with a 224 kW (300 hp) Lorraine Algol 9Na, eight built.

Operators

Potez 32 civil operators

Canada

France

• Aéropostale
• Air Orient
• CIDNA

Potez 33 military operators

Belgium

• Belgian Air Force

Brazil

• Brazilian Air Force

France

• French Air Force

Portugal

• Portuguese Air Force

Specifications (Potez 33/2)

Data from

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 10.15 m (33 ft 3½ in)
• Wingspan: 14.50 m (47 ft 6¾ in)
• Wing area: 35 m² (376.75 ft²)
• Empty weight: 950 kg (2,094 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,750 kg (3,858 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Salmson 9Ab radial engine, 171 kW (230 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 190 km/h (118 mph)
• Range: 700 km (435 miles)
• Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,765 ft)

Armament

• 1 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Vickers machine gun on a ring mount.