Camouflaged Type 390 with the rear section of a Potez 54 in the background. It is believed that this photograph was taken circa September 1938, the time of the Munich crisis.
Fine study of the Potez 390A2.01 modified with tailwheel, wheel spats and large windscreen for the observer. Taken at a Polish base during a European tour in 1931 aimed at foreign sales. In the background is a Polish Potez XV A2 observation biplane still in service with the 6th ‘Pluk’ (Regiment) at Lvov.
The Breguet 270 A2 was a rival to the Potez 390 and was also built in quantity. This is aircraft No 44, with signatures of pilot and observer (apparently) below the cockpits.
First prototype in flight. An evocation of the early 1930s! Pilot and observer ‘tete-a-tete’, unhindered by the large windscreen fitted at a later stage!
F-ALRS powered by a 590hp (440kW) Hispano-Suiza 12 Xbrs engine and annular frontal radiator.
A line-up of Potez 39A2s of ‘Groupe d’Observation’ 11/54 (‘Escadrille’ MF 1) attached to ‘White Force’ during air manoeuvres in August 1934. These machines accordingly had white painted tailplanes and wingtips. The ‘Escadrille’ insignia represented a snail (in blue) complete with wings!
Three-quarter rear view of the Potez 37.01 shows the biggest difference with the Potez 390 - its tailboom!
Potez 390 A2 ‘8’ with radio antenna lowered. Apparently no guns aboard.
Experimental Potez 39 Hy (for ‘Hydravion’ = seaplane). Note the slimmer shaped vertical tailplane.
Potez 39 A2 No 2, the second series aircraft complete with an array of small side windows and TO-10 turret without armament. It had its ‘Matriculation Militaire’ ‘L-002’ painted under the wing, the ‘02’ being visible here under the port wing.
Potez 37 in close-up shows the very different system of struts.
Potez 391 in unit and national markings of Peru’s ‘Cuerpo de Aeronautica’.
Potez 390 A2 02 the second prototype, seen here in its pristine all-metal finish, and complete with twin Lewis guns on a TO-3 Scarff-type mounting.
Potez 390, aircraft ‘9’ with locally improvised camouflage covering and white spats, engine cowl and rear fuselage - more manoeuvres, no doubt! The insignia is that of GAO 510.
Aircraft ‘5’ of 34 ‘Escadre’ (Regiment) at Le Bourget in 1935 (‘Escadrille’ SAL 259). The insignia represents a wasp inflight looking through binoculars.
Potez 390 A2 ‘1’ of 34 ‘Escadre’. Notable for the modified tailplane with enlarged tailfin with rounded top.
Potez 391 for Peru on twin-floats.
Aircraft of ‘Groupe Aerien d’Observation’ 504 after suffering an undercarriage failure. The year is 1937. The insignia represents a French infantryman’s helmet (the celebrated ‘poilu’ encircled with a wreath with the words ‘Pro Patria Semper’ - Always For The Country. At the top of the wreath is a yellow star and at the bottom a tricolour ribbon in the form of a bow.
