ANF Les Mureaux 4

The ANF les Mureaux series of light observation aircraft first appeared in the inter-war years, specifically in the late 1920's and developed further into the 1930's. The Mureaux served as an important arm to the French military forces as a rugged eye-in-the-sky platform, performing forward reconnaissance operations from the roughest of conditions. At the start of World War 2, the system was wholly outclassed in many ways though some 100 were still in operational service no doubt performing valiantly in defense of their country from German incursion.

The design of the Mureaux 4 model was of a utilitarian form, with simple static landing gear, a high-monoplane wing assembly on supportive struts and seating for two personnel. With limited armament options, the Mureaux served a more definitive role of reconnaissance and information gathering and could afford up to 500 miles of flight distance at altitudes upwards of 26,000 feet in the role. At the height of its usage, the Mureaux series was a large part of French military operations even leading up to the Second World War.

By the time the German Luftwaffe invasion over French airspace in 1940, the Mureaux series was already on its way out. The system was eventually replaced by the more capable Potez series 63.11 aircraft in the same role. The definitive variants in the Mureaux series became the Mureaux 115 and the Mureaux 117 designs while some were interestingly enough converted to rough-shot offensive night fighting platforms during the height of the German invasion - such was the desperation on the part of French defense forces.

A Mureaux 115 model was the first French aircraft destroyed by the Luftwaffe.

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Last Revision: 11/12/2008