Sud-Ouest SO.6000 Triton
The Sud-Ouest Triton was the first French jet aircraft to be manufactured and was completed during the 1940s by SNCASO. The SO.6000 design began in 1943, as a clandestine project due to the German occupation, under engineer Lucien Servanty. Shortly after the war, the French government required five prototypes to be built.
Design and development
The two-seater was originally planned to receive a French-designed Rateau-Anxionnaz GTS-65 jet engine. But because of delays in the development of this engine, a German Junkers Jumo 004-B2 was fitted aboard the first prototype, which flew on 11 November 1946 at the hands of test pilot Daniel Rastel (1907-1970) and Armand Raimbeau.
The second prototype was used for static testing, and the three others were powered by a license-built Rolls-Royce Nene jet engine.They had their first flights on the following dates:
- N° 03 : 4 April 1950.
- N° 04 : 19 March 1948.
- N° 05 : 23 May 1949.
Further development was abandoned and the SO.6000 was not used operationally.
Variants
SO. 6000J Triton - Powered by a Junkers JuMo 109-004 engine, One built.
SO. 6000N Triton - Three production aircraft powered by a Rolls-Royce Nene engine.
Surviving aircraft
SO.6000N Triton No. 03 F-WFKY is exhibited in the Musee de l'Air et de l'Espace at Le Bourget Airport to the north of Paris. This aircraft incorporates parts from No. 05 F-WFKX.
— — — = = — — —