Today I wished to fly something a bit off-beat, and the Caravelle caught my attention. The Sud Aviation Caravelle was a French short/medium-range jet airliner that holds the distinction of being the world's first jet-powered airliner for this market (first flight 1955). It utilized newly developed jet-propulsion technology, and pioneered the standards for aft-mounted engines to reduce cabin noise and vibration. Caravelle was also a strikingly beautiful aircraft for its time (e.g. see the landmark teardrop windows). For several years following its introduction, it had effectively no jet-powered rivals, and was extremely successful as the only jetliner in this niche (lucrative) market - with multiple variants (III,VI,10,11,12). Caravelle also carried the genes for subsequent development of the Concorde. For reference, BAC One-Eleven's first flight was 1963, B-727's also 1963, and Douglas DC-9's was 1965. The iconic DC-9 would, however, eventually outlast and replace the Caravelle in the 2-engine category.

This plane even had a hit pop song named in its tribute! SAS took delivery of its first aircraft in 1959, and it was so popular that a hit pop song was named after it. If you are interested in viewing this, please search for “The Caravelle Samba” to get to the 2-minute YouTube video. This video contains some interesting (vintage) images including - the passengers waiting (in immaculate attires) to board this aircraft via the stair-fitted rear-entry door - a first from Caravelle, and the Captain shaking hands of a little girl inside the cabin...the very first (throwback) times of jet-set travel, that are gone for ever!

So, please find here a collection of images of this interesting aircraft in a short (early morning) flight over some photo-scenery of New Mexico (one of my most recent MSE acquisitions). I've opted to use here the Sterling Airlines livery - a little-known low-cost (Danish) airline, that operated between 1962-2008, and had initially flown Caravelles in its fleet. I've also included (at the end) the livery-shots of a few other prominent carriers that utilized this nostalgic aircraft. Thanks for viewing, and Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! [Caravelle(FW), MSE(NM), REX]

Great pics of what is and was a very lovely aeroplane.

I take it you know that there is a brand new development of the Caravelle coming out early next year for FSX and P3D. I'm really looking forward to that one, when I spoke to the developers earlier this year at the Cosford Flight Sim Show, they told me that it was a 50/50 development split between Just Flight's in-house development team and Aeroplane Heaven's development team, which hopefully means it will get the best of both worlds from the pair of them.

Pics of the forthcoming Caravelle can be seen here. It's looking very nice: https://www.justflight.com/product/sud-aviation-caravelle-iii

Edited December 23, 20187 yr by Chock

Nice off-the-beaten-path presentation. I had the opportunity to fly on a Caravelle just once: United Airlines Denver Stapleton to Chicago O'Hare in 1967.

John

Alan: Thanks. No, I didn't know. I have been frankly lagging behind in the news a bit this year. But, I do trust JF/AH to be the most likely vendors to give us some of these nostalgic aircraft. I'll surely keep watch for it in the New Year.

John: That must have been really a unique and rare opportunity for you. I can only wonder what it means to look out through those teardrop windows...

Edited December 23, 20187 yr by P_7878

One airliner I never flew on but wish I had.  Only the EMB 170/190, A220, and 787 look as beautiful and sleek, not to mention the Comet, the first jet airliner.  I flew on the BAC-111 once, British Caledonian from Gatwick to Amsterdam, the ugly but functional cousin of the Caravelle.  But nothing could match the Caravelle in looks back then, I loved the nose of the aircraft, the tail and engine assembly, it just looked Mach 1+ on the ground, not to mention the air.  Wish I could find one for P3D, especially freeware to enjoy.

John

5 hours ago, Chock said:

coming out early next year for FSX and P3D

It´s really a waste in my opinion that still a good number of developers restricts the numerous advantages of the P3D platform to continue making addons compatible with FSX. I¨ll pass on this one, even of the Caravelle is one of my loved aircraft ever.

Cheers, Ed

4 hours ago, John_Cillis said:

One airliner I never flew on but wish I had.  Only the EMB 170/190, A220, and 787 look as beautiful and sleek, not to mention the Comet, the first jet airliner.  I flew on the BAC-111 once, British Caledonian from Gatwick to Amsterdam, the ugly but functional cousin of the Caravelle.  But nothing could match the Caravelle in looks back then, I loved the nose of the aircraft, the tail and engine assembly, it just looked Mach 1+ on the ground, not to mention the air.  Wish I could find one for P3D, especially freeware to enjoy.

John

Thanks for the notes and comments about this aircraft, John.

I had probably last flown this (AFG/HJG) version maybe more than 4 years ago, but, as I was recently looking for something different in my archive, it still caught my memory and fancy. Yes, even if FW, flying an aircraft does help reinforce the interest for it a bit. Hope, you find one to fly soon, or, at least, next year as Alan has indicated from the JF's "In Development" page, which looks rather good to me.

BTW, these textures, I've shown here, are not a good measure of how graceful this aircraft really is. There are some beautiful pictures of it in the Aviation webpages.

Great pics of an iconic aircraft. Thanks for sharing them with us and Merry Christmas

Wonderful shots and great aviation history info,Thank You and Merry Christmas.