Dassault MD 315 Flamant

The Dassault MD 315 Flamant was a French twin‑engine transport and trainer aircraft developed in the immediate post‑World War II period. Designed by Marcel Dassault’s company, the type first flew on 29 June 1947 and entered service with the French Air Force in 1949 as a replacement for the aging Lioré‑et‑Olivier LeO 451 and other wartime transports. Powered by two 680 hp Renault 12S engines, the low‑wing monoplane featured a robust all‑metal airframe, retractable main gear, and a spacious cabin that could be configured for paratroop drops, cargo carriage, medical evacuation, or crew training. Variants such as the MD‑315B and MD‑315H incorporated reinforced structures and upgraded avionics, extending the fleet’s operational life into the early 1960s. The Flamant’s versatility made it vital during the French colonial conflicts in Indochina and Algeria, where its ability to operate from rough strips proved essential. Though produced in modest numbers—only 174 airframes—the aircraft demonstrated Dassault’s transition from wartime fighter design to multi‑role utility platforms, laying groundwork for later successes such as the MD 312 Super Mystère and the Mirage series. Its legacy endures as a symbol of post‑war French aeronautical resilience and innovation.