1/72 Potez 540 (Heller Museum)

The Potez 540 is a French, twin-engine, multi-role mixed high-wing aircraft from the Second World War. The prototype flight took place in November 1933. The machine was used in the French army as a long-distance reconnaissance, transport and bomber plane. The first versions were powered by two Hispano-Suiza HS 12 Xirs engines with 690HP each, but later more powerful engines were used (Potez versions 541, 542 and 543).

 Potez 540 was used in combat in the Spanish Civil War, but was not very successful there. The design quickly became obsolete in the 1930s and by 1939 most of these planes served only in colonies, mainly in North Africa. Most of these machines were destroyed by 1943. Technical data (Potez 540 version): length: 16.2 m, wingspan: 22.1 m, height: 3.88 m, maximum speed: 310 km / h, practical ceiling: 10000 m, maximum range: 1250 km, armament: fixed - from 3 up to 5 MAC 1934 machine guns, caliber 7.5 mm, suspended - up to 900 kg of bombs.