Latecoere 21

The first flying-boat produced by Latecoere was the Late 21, intended for Mediterranean postal and passenger routes. The prototype, first flown in 1926, had a parasol wing with lower stub wings which acted as stabilising sponsons. Two 313kW Gnome-Rhone Jupiter 9Ab radials were mounted in tandem on the wing, and the single-step hull terminated in a large single fin and rudder. Open side-by-side pilots' cockpits were located in line with the wing leading edge and there was cabin accommodation for seven passengers. Successful tests with the Late 21 led to the construction in 1927 of five slightly modified Late 21bis and a single Late 21ter, with Farman 12We engines. The Late 21 bis spanned 22.00m, had a maximum take-off weight of 5730kg and possessed a maximum speed of 172km/h.

The Late 23 was an enlarged version of the Late 21, powered by Farman engines and spanning 28.00m.