C.61

The Caudron C.61 was a French twin‑engine biplane developed in the early 1920s by the Caudron company, renowned for its innovative training and racing aircraft. Conceived shortly after World War I, the C.61 entered production in 1922 as a long‑range transport and mail‑carrier, capitalising on the surplus of powerful Renault 12F V‑12 engines. Its distinctive biplane layout featured a staggered wing arrangement with wooden ribs and fabric covering, while the fuselage employed a lightweight steel tube frame, giving the aircraft a robust yet relatively low weight for its class.

Key features included a 50‑minute endurance, a maximum speed of roughly 190 km/h (118 mph), and a payload capacity of up to 1,200 kg, allowing it to carry four passengers or a substantial amount of freight. The cockpit was open but equipped with dual controls, enabling both pilot and co‑pilot to manage the aircraft, a rarity for transport biplanes of the era. Its reliability and ease of maintenance made the C.61 a popular choice for early European postal routes and exploratory flights over Africa and the Middle East.

The C.61’s significance lies in its role as a bridge between wartime military designs and the emerging commercial aviation market. By demonstrating that twin‑engine biplanes could safely handle extended routes with meaningful cargo loads, it helped pave the way for larger, more advanced transports in the late 1920s and shaped Caudron’s reputation as a versatile aircraft manufacturer.