Latécoère 521 French Flying Boat

The Latécoère 521 was a French six-engined double deck flying boat.

First flown on 10 January 1935, the Laté 521 achieved several world records relating to payload and endurance. It was introduced to passenger service by national operator Air France, who was able to launch several previously-unattainable long distance passenger routes. As a civilian aircraft, the Laté 521 was outfitted as a luxurious airliner, providing a high level of comfort for up to 72 passengers

On the outbreak of the Second World War, the Laté 521 was pressed into service with the French Navy, all aircraft were attached to the flotilla E.6, based in Port-Lyautey, Morocco, where they performed maritime patrol flights over the North Atlantic. After the Armistice of 22 June 1940 between France and Nazi Germany, the aircraft was flown to Berre, near Marseille. The Laté 521 remained at Berre intact up until August 1944 when, following the launch of Operation Dragoon by the Allies to liberate southern France, the aircraft was deliberately destroyed by the retreating German occupying forces.

The Laté 521 was the basis of the single Laté 522 “Ville de Saint Pierre” civil airliner, and the three Laté 523 navalized variants.