SCAN 20

The SCAN 20 was the first post‑war amphibious liaison aircraft produced by the French ship‑building firm Société de Construction Aéronavale. Designed in 1945 to replace aging biplane floatplanes, the prototype lifted off on 12 March 1947 and entered limited service with the Marine Nationale in 1949. Its high‑wing, all‑metal airframe housed a pair of 300‑hp Lycoming engines mounted on the wing leading edge, driving three‑bladed propellers. Retractable main wheels were integrated into streamlined floats that also served as buoyant hulls, giving the type true amphibious capability on both sea and land runways. The cockpit accommodated a pilot and co‑pilot, while a small cabin could carry up to three passengers or equipment for reconnaissance missions. With a maximum speed of 280 km/h, a range of 1 200 km and a service ceiling of 5 500 m, the SCAN 20 proved versatile for transport, training and coastal patrol duties. Although only 48 units were built, the aircraft demonstrated the practicality of combined naval and aerial operations and influenced subsequent French designs such as the Bréguet 105 Alizé, marking a modest but important step in modern naval aviation.

Société de Construction Aéronavale

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Design & Classification