Caudron
Caudron C.430 Rafale
The Caudron C.430 Rafale was a French light touring and competition aircraft built in the mid‑1930s by the Caudron company, a pioneer of high‑performance monoplanes. Designed by Marcel Riffard, it first flew in March 1935 and was intended to showcase the aerodynamic advantages of the low‑drag, cantilever wing and the emerging use of inline engines for sport flying. The Rafale featured a sleek, wooden‑skinned fuselage, a two‑seat side‑by‑side cabin, and a 140 hp Renault 4Pei inline powerplant that gave it a top speed of about 240 km/h (150 mph). Its distinctive elliptical wing shape reduced induced drag and contributed to exceptional handling, making the aircraft popular in French air rallies and record‑breaking attempts. In 1936 the Rafale won the prestigious Coupe Michelin, and several examples set distance and speed records that demonstrated the potential of lightweight, low‑power designs. Although production was limited—only about 30 units were built before World War II halted civilian manufacturing—the C.430 left a lasting influence on post‑war light aircraft, inspiring the use of streamlined aerodynamics and efficient powerplants in the emerging sport‑aviation sector. Today a few restored Rafales are exhibited in museums, reminding enthusiasts of this elegant pre‑war masterpiece.
