D140 Mousquetaire

The D140 Mousquetaire, conceived in the early 1930s by the French firm Société Aeronautique Normande (SAN), was a versatile three‑engine high‑wing monoplane designed for both passenger transport and light cargo duties. First flown in 1935, the aircraft emerged from SAN’s ambition to provide a reliable, low‑cost solution for regional airlines operating from modest airfields across France and its colonies. Its wooden fuselage, covered in fabric, housed a cabin for six to eight passengers, while the fixed landing gear and robust undercarriage allowed operations from unprepared fields. Powered by three 140‑horsepower Renault 4Pei radial engines, the D140 delivered a cruising speed of about 200 km/h and a range of roughly 800 km, impressive for its class. The aircraft’s simple construction facilitated rapid maintenance, a critical factor during the interwar period. Although only a handful were built before production halted due to the outbreak of World War II, the Mousquetaire proved influential, showcasing the potential of multi‑engine utility planes and inspiring later French designs such as the SNCAC NC.700 series. Its legacy endures as a testament to SAN’s innovative spirit in early civil aviation and continues to be studied by historians.