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| The prototype Late 631 flew for the first time on 4 November 1942. It was a graceful high-wing monoplane flying-boat powered by six 1,192kW radial engines. Accommodation was provided for 46 passengers in two- or four-berth cabins. However this aircraft was confiscated by the Germans during the occupation of France.
Three Late 631 were built after the war and inaugurated transatlantic services to Fort de France on 26 July 1947. One was lost on 1 August 1948 and the type was subsequently withdrawn from the service. It is believed that eight aircraft were eventually built. The Societe France-Hydro operated one on cargo services in French Equatorial Africa for three years, but it crashed: after which all remaining Late 631 were broken up.
| CREW | 6 |
| PASSENGERS | 70 |
| ENGINE | 6 x Wright Cycl. GR 2600-A5B, 1175kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 71350 kg | 157301 lb |
| Empty weight | 32332 kg | 71280 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 57.4 m | 188 ft 4 in |
| Length | 43.5 m | 143 ft 9 in |
| Wing area | 350.0 m2 | 3767.37 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 405 km/h | 252 mph |
| Cruise speed | 320 km/h | 199 mph |
| Range w/max.fuel | 6000 km | 3728 miles |
| Colin, 15.10.2008 19:03 Stephen, Was the Spruce Goose not a flying boat? reply | | Stephen Brichant, e-mail, 02.08.2008 07:13 Sir
Was Late 631 aircraft the largest "flying boat" ever built? Are there any large "flying boats of any kind flying anywhere? Sunderlands? Thank you.
Stephen Brichant (Capt. Delta Airlines, Atlanta, USA) reply | | Michel Grandidier, e-mail, 21.06.2008 13:52 Bonjour,
Mon courrier s'adresse à Mr.Ronald Simpson.En effet,je pense avoir pris le même vol que vous en 1948.J'aitais alors agé d'un an, et nous avons traverssé l'atlantique pour la Martinique sur un latécoère. Mon pére disait, que celui que nous devions prendre était tombé à l'aller.(Il sagit peut-être, du n°7, crashé entre le Havre et Biscarosse?)Nous avons donc pris le suivant,(le n°6) qui lui s'est perdu en mer, lors de son retour le 1-8-1948 reply | | Michel Grandidier, e-mail, 21.06.2008 13:51 Bonjour,
Mon courrier s'adresse à Mr.Ronald Simpson.En effet,je pense avoir pris le même vol que vous en 1948.J'aitais alors agé d'un an, et nous avons traverssé l'atlantique pour la Martinique sur un latécoère. Mon pére disait, que celui que nous devions prendre était tombé à l'aller.(Il sagit peut-être, du n°7, crashé entre le Havre et Biscarosse?)Nous avons donc pris le suivant,(le n°6) qui lui s'est perdu en mer, lors de son retour le 1-8-1948 reply | |
| | Gerhard Dose, e-mail, 13.04.2008 20:17 I have seen this Flying Boat while it was developed 1943 in Berre l'Etang. I saw it starting and landing at the Etang de Berre. It was stationed within our naval Airfield and was guarded by the German Luftwaffe. reply | | Chris Fry, e-mail, 13.06.2007 16:43 I well remember seeing Latecoere flying boats,staging through China Bay.Trincomalee,Ceylon in 1951,enroute to French Indochina.I was flying RAF Sunderlands and there for SAR duties reply | | Ronald Simpson, e-mail, 26.05.2007 01:47 First Transatlantic Flight, Geneva, Switzerland to Fort de France, Martinique by "Latecoere 631" on June 14, 1948. Special mail flight arrived Fort de France on June 16th. The plane disappeared on its return flight. reply |
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