Sud-Ouest SO 8000 Narval

The subject of an order for two prototypes on 31 May 1946, the SO 8000 Narval (Narwhal) was conceived by a team under the leadership of Ing Dupuy at the Societe Nationale de Constructions Aeronautiques de Sud-Ouest (SNCASO) as a shipboard fighter and attack aircraft. Of twin-boom configuration with a sweptback wing - 24° inboard and 13.5° outboard on the leading edge - and a tricycle undercarriage, the Narval was powered by an Arsenal 12 H-02 (Junkers Jumo 213) engine rated at 2,250hp, installed as a pusher and driving contra-rotating propellers. Proposed armament comprised six 20mm cannon with provision for up to 1000kg of external ordnance. Development was somewhat protracted, and the first flight (by the second prototype) did not take place until 1 April 1949, the second following on 30 December. Numerous problems arose during the test programme, dictating changes in the control surfaces, the air intakes and the propellers (Rotol propellers replacing the original Chauviere units); constant troubles were experienced with the engine, and, following the generally unfavourable results of evaluation at the Centre d'Essais en Vol in January 1950, development of the Narval was discontinued. The second prototype effected its 43rd and last flight on 8 January 1950, and the first prototype flew only once. Proposals to adapt the design for a Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet as the SO 8010 were not pursued. The quoted performance was not, in fact, achieved during flight test.

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