CASA C-207 "Azor"
The dual-engined commerical and transport aircraft CASA C-207 "Azor" was developed with the purpose of transporting 30-40 passengers on middle range and short range flights in Spain. The propeller aircraft with piston engine was modeled after the CASA C-202 "Alcotán". The "Azor" was developed as a low altitude plane constructed in a half-shell shape and made entirely out of metal. In 1951, the Spanish government ordered Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) to complete the construction of two prototypes in Getafe.
The prototype flew for the first time on September 28, 1955. 22 machines in all were manufactured- aside from both prototypes, two series of ten aircrafts each. In contrast to the C-201 "Alcotán" and the C-202 "Halcón", the C-207 project did not fail due to the issue of its engine. Although the original concept of the "Azor" was to be able to utilize a 1,300 PS powered engine from ENMASA, an engine from Pratt & Whitney was used instead. Finally, the 2,040 PS powerful Bristol "Hercules" engine was available for usage. Thus equipped with this engine, the aerodynamically well-modeled C-207 "Azor" could achieve a travel speed of 350 km/h. However, it could not surpass the Douglas DC-4 with its top speed of 450 km/h.
The C-207 was never employed in its original role which was as a passenger aircraft. No airline company purchased this model. The modern age had begun, and furthermore, other manufacturers were already using intensified turboprops. In the case of the C-207, alterations were not possible. Since the government airline company Iberia cancelled its purchases, the Spanish government assisted and created ten aircrafts for the Air Force, Ejército del Aire. The first series, the C-207 A - known by the Air Force as the T.7A - could transport 40 soldiers. In 1960, a second series followed which also consisted of ten aircrafts, the C-207-C (known by the Air Force as: T.7B), was equipped with a larger cargo door. It was utilized for the transport and deployment of up to 37 paratroopers, but could also be employed as a freighter. The C-207-C would carry up to 3,350 kilograms of payload. It could also serve as an ambulance airplane. The initial flight of C-207-C "Azor" took place on October 30, 1961.
The "Azor" was produced until 1967. Until the 1980s, a few C-207 aircrafts were still in service by the 35th air commando squadron in Madrid-Getafe. CASA would have liked to develop a four-engined version from the C-207. The CASA C-212 "Aviocar", however, was given priority and eventually replaced the "Azor".
Technical data
CASA C-207 "Azor"
| Length | 20.9 m |
| Height | 7.8 m |
| Span | 27.8 m |
| Wing span area | 85.80 m2 |
| Initial weight | 16,500 kg |
| Power Plant | 2 x Bristol "Hercules 730" |
| Performance | 2 x 1,500 kW |
| Top speed | 455 km/h |
| Operational Range | 2,600 km |
| Passenger capacity | 30-49 |
| Crew | 4 |
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