Caudron C.280 Phalène
The Caudron C.280 Phalène ("Moth") was a civil utility aircraft built in France during the 1930s. It was a high-wing braced monoplane of conventional configuration with fixed tailskid undercarriage. The pilot and two-three passengers were accommodated within an enclosed cabin. The structure was wooden throughout, with the forward fuselage skinned with plywood, and the rest of the aircraft fabric-covered.
| C.280 Phalène | |
|---|---|
| Caudron C.286 of the Nationalist Spanish Air Force | |
| Role | Utility aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Caudron |
| Designer | Paul Deville |
| First flight | March 1932 |
| Number built | 240 (plus 51 military examples) |
The type proved popular on the civil market, with a number of long-distance flights staged to promote it. The French military also purchased a number of examples under the C.400 and C.410 designations. The Caudron C.286 that ended up in the Second Spanish Republic was captured by the nationalist faction and used as liaison aircraft during the Spanish Civil War.