Levasseur PL.200

PL.200
The PL.200 at the Paris Salon d'Aéronautique
Role	Observation seaplane
Manufacturer	Levasseur
First flight	February 1935
Number built	1

The Levasseur PL.200 was an observation seaplane built by Levasseur in the mid-1930s. It was a high-wing monoplane with a short, all-metal fuselage nacelle at mid-span, and a wing made of metal.

Design and development

The fuselage and wings were supported on struts above the two floats which extended rear-wards to form the tail unit with twinfins and rudders and single tailplane with elevator. The 720 hp (540 kW) Hispano-Suiza 9Vbrs engine was mounted as a tractor in the nose of the fuselage nacelle, which also housed the crew of three. An improved version was developed, with extended fins and a 740 hp (550 kW) Gnome & Rhône 9Kfr engine as the PL.201,

Variants

PL.200

Initial observation seaplane, powered by a 720 hp (540 kW) Hispano-Suiza 9Vbrs engine.

PL.201

Improved version with extended fins, powered by a 740 hp (550 kW) Gnome & Rhône 9Kfr engine.

Specifications

A 3-view of the PL.200

Data from

General characteristics

• Crew: three
• Length: 10.23 m (33 ft 7 in)
• Wingspan: 16.00 m (52 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 35.00 m² (376.7 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,760 kg (3,880 lb)
• Gross weight: 3,300 kg (7,275 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza 9Vbrs 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 540 kW (720 hp)
• Propellers: 3-bladed variable pitch metal propeller

Performance

• Maximum speed: 225 km/h (140 mph, 121 kn)
• Range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,800 ft)

Bibliography

• Bénichou, Michel (February 1985). "PL 200 et PL 201, Les Levasseur bifides" [PL 200 and PL 201: The Split Levasseurs]. Le Fane de l'Aviation (in French). No. 183. pp. 30–35.