The development of the experimental aircraft Sud-Ouest S.O.6000 "Triton" by the SNCASO (Societé Nationale des Constructions de Sud Ouest) began in 1943 as a secret project. It was hidden for the former German crew. The aircraft was conceived of by Lucien Servanty. The "Triton" was the first successful jet-engined aircraft of French construction.
The prototype S.O. 6000-01 was constructed in 1945 and flew for the first time under the piloting of Daniel Rastel on November 11, 1946. It was powered by a Junkers Jumo 004 B2 jet engine with 910 kg/p. Only eight other flights were taken with this model and then other prototypes took its place that were powered by a Rolls Royce Nene jet engine with 2,270 kg/p. During the course of the flights, the engineers of SNCASO collected useful information for its further developments. The "Triton" was soon utilized as a training aircraft for high speed tests.
Four other prototypes were manufactured which were supposed to be equipped with different engine types. They were ordered with the Derwent engines from Rolls Royce and were all actually powered by Rolls Royce Nene jet engines and licensed by Hispano-Suiza. The first prototype of this improved version lifted off the ground for the first time on March 10, 1948.
The S.O. 6000 Triton was a two-seater, cantilever mid-range aircraft with a brawny fuselage and retractable, hydraulic undercarriage. The short-spanned wings were very thin. The seats were mounted next to eachother, both of which were ejector seats. The admission of air followed over the nose as well as the oopenings that were found on the fuselage directly behind the cockpit. The fuel tanks held 1,450 liters. Additional tanks had increased this capability to 2,100 liters.
The S.O.6000-03 "Triton", which only took two short flights in 1950, is on exhibit at the Musée de l'Air in Le Bourget.
Sud-Ouest S.O. 6000-04 Triton
| Type | two-seater experimental aircraft with jet engine | |
| Manufacturer | SNCASO | |
| Power plant | a Hispano-Suiza Nene jet engine |
Performance
| Top speed | 955 km/h |
| Travel speed | 860 km/h at an altitude of 10,000 m |
| Initial speed | 210 km/h (fully loaded) |
| Take-off-run | 450 m |
| Landing speed | 180 km/h |
| Rate of climb | 3,000m/min |
| Service altitude | 12,000 m |
Weight
| Empty weight | 3,205 kg |
| Take-off weight | 4,560 kg |
Dimensions
| Span | 9.96m |
| Length | 10.41 m |
| Wing span area | 15 qm |
| Crew | 2 persons | |
| Production quantity | 6 prototypes |
