Nord NC.850

The Nord NC.850, sometimes called the “Cigogne,” was a French post‑war utility aircraft designed by the Société Nationale de Construction Aéronautique du Centre (SNCAC) and later produced by Nord Aviation. Its development began in 1947 as a twin‑engine evolution of the earlier NC.800 series, aiming to provide the French Air Force and civilian operators with a reliable, low‑cost liaison and training platform. The prototype first flew on 29 May 1949, and a small production run of 56 airframes was completed between 1950 and 1955.

Key features of the NC.850 include a high‑wing, all‑metal cantilever wing, side‑by‑side seating for two pilots and up to two passengers, and twin 75 hp Régnier 4 E.0 inverted‑V four‑cylinder engines driving fixed‑pitch propellers. The aircraft employed a fixed, tail‑wheel undercarriage and was equipped with basic navigation instruments, making it simple to operate from unprepared fields. Its sturdy construction, modest powerplant, and straightforward systems allowed it to serve as a primary trainer, photographic platform, and light transport.

Although only a few hundred were built, the NC.850 marked a pivotal step in France’s transition from wartime designs to modern, domestically produced twins. It demonstrated the viability of small, twin‑engine aircraft for a variety of roles and helped train a generation of pilots who would later fly more advanced jet types.