The Br.891 Mars was a transport aircraft developed by the French firm Breguet Aviation. Work on its creation began in 1947, following the specifications of the Direction Technique Industrielles. The Br.891 was built in parallel with the multi-purpose transport and passenger Br.890 and the passenger-only Br.892.
Design and Payload
Key differences for the military transport version included a powerplant consisting of two SNECMA (Gnome-Rhone) 14R-200 engines and a new cargo-passenger cabin. Due to the presence of a transport hatch, the aircraft’s capacity was slightly reduced. In this configuration, it could carry up to 20 fully equipped infantrymen, 24 wounded on stretchers, or two jeeps with their crew.
Flight and Competition
The prototype aircraft (tail number F-WFRB) made its first flight on November 15, 1949. After passing factory tests, the Br.891R was handed over to the military to participate in a competition alongside the Nord 2500 Noratlas. During the trials, both aircraft demonstrated excellent flight characteristics. However, the military’s final choice fell on the Nord 2500 Noratlas.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Br. 891R |
| Wingspan, m | 30.62 |
| Aircraft length, m | 21.60 |
| Aircraft height, m | 7.20 |
| Wing area, m2 | 101.00 |
| Empty weight | 11500 kg |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 16850 kg |
| Engine type | 2 Piston engines SNECMA 14R-200 |
| Power, hp | 2 x 1600 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 365 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 316 |
| Practical range, km | 1500 |
| Practical ceiling, m | 8100 |
| Crew | 4 crew members |
| Payload | 5300 kg of cargo or up to 20 soldiers |
Image and diagram gallery of the Br.891 Mars
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