The Astra C was a 1912 French single engine biplane, manufactured by

Société Astra ''Société Astra des Constructions Aéronautiques'' was a major French manufacturer of balloons, airships, and aeroplanes in the early 20th century. It was founded in 1908 in aviation, 1908 when Henri Deutsch de la Meurthe purchased Édouard Surco ...

at Villacoublay. In 1913, the Astra CM Hydro-avion three-seat floatplane version was used to make the world's first scheduled passenger-carrying flights.

Design and development

The Astra C was initially designed as a single seat biplane, powered by a single 50 hp Renault engine in tractor configuration. It was constructed primarily as wooden framework sections, covered in canvas and wire-braced. The fuselage was of triangular cross section, with a wheeled main undercarriage plus nose skid and tail skid. The wings were of unequal span, and employed wing-warping for roll control. The Astra CM was developed from the Astra C, with a more powerful engine and added accommodation for two observers, for military reconnaissance. The Astra Hydro, (an Astra CM 'Hydro-avion' (seaplane)), was a further development in 1913, with a Renault V-12 engine and 3 Tellier floats (2 main floats , and one small tail float). The wooden frame elements were largely replaced by steel tubes, and the wing ribs and floats were the principal remaining wooden components. at least two were built and an order for two from the Royal Navy (RN), serialled ''106'' and ''107'', was not completed.

Operational history

During the St. Malo races, 14-26 August 1912, the first CM Hydro was flown to first place by Labouret. The second CM Hydro, powered by a horizontally mounted Salmson M.9 water-cooled radial engine, flew at Monaco but crashed. On 22 March 1913, using at least one Astra CM Hydro-avion, French operator

Compagnie générale transaérienne The ''Compagnie générale transaérienne'' (CGT: General Trans-Air Company) was a predecessor of Air France, founded in 1909. At first it operated airships in France and Switzerland, then added float planes and direct flights from Paris to London. ...

started the world's first scheduled passenger-carrying flights, operating from Cannes to Nice. Two passengers could be carried. On 29 March 1913, the service was extended to Monte Carlo.Jung, Philippe. 2010
Alpes-Maritimes & Monaco Aerospace History
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Variants

;Astra C :Civil version, with 50 hp Renault engine. ;Astra CM :Military version, with 75 hp Renault or 75 hp Chenu engine. ;Astra Hydro :Floatplane version of the Astra CM, with 100 hp Renault engine.

Operators

; *

; * Royal Hellenic Navy ** Hellenic Naval Air Service

Specifications (Astra CM)

References

Bibliography

* Thomas, Andrew. "In the Footsteps of Daedulus: Early Greek Naval Aviation". ''Air Enthusiast'', No. 94, July–August 2001, pp. 8–9.

External links

* Phot
Astra CM, Motor 75 hk Renault
Norsk Luftfartsmuseum
Astra seaplane with Renault V-12 engine
(Canada Aviation & Space Museum/Corbis via Getty Images)

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