Nord Aviation Nord 2501-Noratlas

The dual-engined transport aircraft Nord 2501 "Noratlas", with over an eight ton freight capacity, was regarded as the standard transport model for the armed forces of France, Germany and Israel for three decades. A few aircrafts were supplied to Portugal.

The Armée de l'Air replaced the antiquated DC-3 with the "Noratlas" and it was used from 1951 to 1989. It had better freight capacities and was easier to load than its predecessor. The German Luftwaffe utilized 186 aircrafts, of which 25 where completed in France and the rest licensed in Germany. The variation N 2501IS, which was supplied to Israel, was a general construction similar to the main series version N 2501.

The French-drafted transport aircraft Nord 2500 "Noratlas" was similar in construction to the Fairchild C-82 and C-119. The prototype was powered by two 1,625 PS strong Gnome-Rhone 14R-radial engines and flew for the first time in September 1949. Two pre-series models followed that were equipped with two 2,068 PS strong Bristol Hercules 739 radial engines. After the successful test flight on November 28, 1950, the series production commenced.

A total of 425 Noratlas aircrafts, including all variations, were completed in French and German factories, of which 208 copies were used in France. In Germany, Walther Blohm was dealing with the licensed construction through the "Hamburger Flugzeugbau GmbH" ("Hamburg Aircraft Constuction Inc"). With the Noratlas, the German aviation industry was regarded as successful again.

From all of the Noratlas aircrafts, there were ten purchased by the name N 2502 for civil purposes with a passenger capacity of 47 persons for Air Algérie and the UTA (Union Aéromaritime de Transport). They had two radial engines SNECMA Hercules 758/759 with 1,673 PS each (1,230 kW) and also equipped with two additional jet engines Marboré IIE. Later on it was used occasionally as a freighter. In 1971, an entire fleet was purchased for the German Luftwaffe where they were used as air freighters. Production stopped in October 1961.

The dual-engined "Noratlas" was designed as an airplane with fuselage and double tail unit that unharnessed the rear unit. Loads such as automobiles could enter the aircraft through the rear entrance. The aircraft achieved 350 km/h with eight tons of freight on board and had an operational range of 2,500 km. Forty-five soldiers and up to 36 completely equipped paratroopers could be transported. As a medic airplane, 18 injured and caretakers could be supported.

The military version of the "Noratlas" was used as a transport aircraft, a combat zone transporter and for the deployment of paratroopers. There were also special versions for tasks such as electronic purposes during war or for training purposes.

The variant N 2506 was a storm trooper transport version that was equipped with two additional Turboméca jet engines Marboré II with 400 kg thrust each that were situated at the rear end of the aircraft. In January 1956, the N 2503 flew for the first time with two radial engines from Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB17 with 2,535 PS each (1,864 kW). A freight version by the name N 2508 received two jet engines Turboméca Marboré IIE in addition to the Pratt & Whitney R 2800-CB17 engines. The French Marines used the N 2504 which was also equipped with two additional Turboméca jet engines for training purposes. There were different versions to this project that were never constructed.

A Nord 2501 "Noratlas" can be seen today in the Air Force Museum in Berlin, Gatow.

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