Service History
The Potez 60 Sauterelle served as the backbone of French civil aviation training during the turbulent 1930s. Of the 156 aircraft manufactured, 76 were delivered to French aéro clubs, often painted in distinctive red livery under the Popular Front government's initiative to promote popular aviation. Another 37 went to private individuals, while the remainder served various French military training roles. The aircraft's affordability proved crucial to its success - standard models cost 36,000 francs, while subsidized versions for aero clubs were available for just 17,300 francs.
Wartime Service
When France declared war in September 1939, the French Air Force immediately requisitioned civilian Potez 60s for military flight training schools. The aircraft's gentle handling characteristics and forgiving nature made it ideal for preparing novice pilots for more advanced military types. However, the 1940 Armistice with Germany proved devastating for the fleet - German forces destroyed many examples, contributing to significant wartime losses that necessitated a brief production resumption in 1945.
The Manufacturer
Aéroplanes Henry Potez, founded by Henry Potez in 1919, had established itself as a premier French aircraft manufacturer through successful designs like the Potez 36 and 43. The company operated from the 1920s through the 1930s before facing nationalization in 1936, when it was integrated into SNCAN (National Society of Aeronautical Constructions of the North). All Potez 60 production occurred at SNCAN's Méaulte workshops, which had incorporated nationalized factories from Amiot, ANF Les Mureaux, CAMS, and Potez. Post-World War II, Potez re-emerged as an independent entity, and today Potez Aéronautique continues operations, focusing on aerospace components and heritage preservation.
Design Innovation
Henry Potez personally led the design team that created this lightweight training aircraft in 1934. The Sauterelle featured all-wood construction to minimize costs and weight, while its parasol wing configuration provided excellent stability and visibility for student pilots. The wide-track fixed tailwheel landing gear enhanced ground stability, crucial for inexperienced pilots. Communication between the two open cockpits relied on acoustic horns, a simple but effective solution for instructor-student interaction during flight.
The aircraft's large wing area enabled slow flight speeds ideal for training, though this same characteristic led to its memorable nickname. Student pilots frequently made bouncy landings that reminded observers of a grasshopper's hopping motion, earning the aircraft its "Sauterelle" moniker.
Engine and Technical Details
Powering the Potez 60 was the Potez-Anzani 3B, a three-cylinder air-cooled radial engine producing 60 horsepower. This powerplant, manufactured by Potez-Anzani, drove a two-blade wooden propeller and was specifically chosen for its reliability and low maintenance requirements - essential qualities for training aircraft operated by various skill levels. The engine's simplicity aligned perfectly with the aircraft's overall design philosophy of creating an affordable, dependable trainer.
Production and Legacy
Despite an initial Ministry of Air order for 250 aircraft, production ceased at exactly 156 examples due to changing military priorities and the approaching war. Manufacturing spanned from March 1935 to May 1937, with the brief 1945 resumption aimed at replacing wartime losses. The relatively small production run reflected the specialized nature of the civil training market and the disruption caused by France's aviation industry nationalization.
Today, the Potez 60's legacy lives on through preservation efforts. At least one example, registered F-POSE, remained airworthy as of 2009. In the 2020s, Potez Aéronautique partnered with AAHM (Association Aéronautique Histoire Méaulte) to restore another Potez 60 for flight operations from Aire-sur-l'Adour, France. These restoration projects highlight the aircraft's cultural significance as a symbol of 1930s French popular aviation and its role in democratizing pilot training before World War II fundamentally changed European aviation.