FREE SHIPPING via Air Parcel Service!

This magnificent and Museum-Quality crafted Nord Noratlas French Freighter Airplane WOOD MODEL is finely handmade from kiln-dried Wood Mahogany and skillfully hand-painted by gifted artists.

It is 11.10" in Length, with 15.00" Wingspan, weighing 0.44 pounds, and a package weight of about 2.20 pounds.

The picture shown in this listing is part of a set of photos we are using as reference for the production of the models. Each model comes with a wooden stand.

Direct from our highly gifted Craftsmen & Artists, Each model is Individually Sculptured and Painted by hand, Not Mass-produced and there is No Reserve!

ABOUT US: MyAsianArt is an Art & Antiques Gallery based in Manila, Philippines promoting historical items & featuring local skilled artisans and painters specializing in high quality ARTWORKS (HAND-PAINTED Oil Paintings and Sculptures), model ships, model planes & toy models and Handicrafts from Asia. We have been doing business WORLDWIDE for more that 8 years.

SHIPPING: The model plane will be packed in a strong carton box with protective foam. Shipping & Handling Worldwide is FREE via Post Office Air Parcel Service. Shipping will be from the Philippines (2-3 Weeks).

PAYMENT: Accepts (preferred) or please email us for other payment options acceptable to Ebay's Payment Policies. amd 05-04-09 /  csm 02-06-09

If you have any questions, pls contact us personally at models.com

History:

In the late 1940s, the French SNCA du Nord company began work on a cargolifter to replace the Douglas C-47s and Junkers Ju-52s then in French service. The company came up with a design, the "Nord 2500", with dual piston engines and the twin-boom arrangement of the American Fairchild C-82 Packet cargolifter. The N-2500 was powered by two SNECMA-built Gnome-Rhone 14R radial engines with 1,600 horsepower each, and first flew on 10 September 1949.

The Nord 2500 prototype left something to be desired, and led to the improved "Nord 2501", powered by two SNECMA-built Bristol Hercules 738 or 758 radials with 2,040 horsepower each. The Nord 2501 first flew on 10 September 1949. It proved more satisfactory and the French air force, the Armee de l'Air (AdA), ordered three pre-production examples of the type, with the first performing its initial flight on 10 September 1952.

The AdA followed up with an order for an initial production batch of 40 N-2501s, with the last of the batch delivered at the end of June 1954. The AdA ordered further batches, ultimately obtaining a total of 200 N-2501s.

The Noratlas flew with a flight crew of four or five, and could carry 45 troops; 31 paratroops with drop gear; 18 stretchers with medical attendants; or 6,800 kilograms (14,900 pounds) of cargo. The AdA N-2501s saw combat service in Algeria, and during the Suez conflict of 1956. A few remained in AdA service into the 1970s. ahs 

   NORD N-2501 NORATLAS:
   _____________________   _________________   _______________________
 
   spec                    metric              english
   _____________________   _________________   _______________________

   wingspan                32.5 meters         106 feet 8 inches
   length                  22 meters           72 feet 1 inch
   height                  6 meters            19 feet 8 inches

   empty weight            13,300 kilograms    28,670 pounds
   max loaded weight       22,000 kilograms    48,500 pounds

   max cruise speed        335 KPH             208 MPH / 181 KT
   service ceiling         7,500 meters        24,600 feet
   range                   2,500 kilometers    1,550 MI / 1,350 NMI
   _____________________   _________________   _______________________

* The West German Luftwaffe also adopted the Noratlas, beginning operations with the type in 1958. 25 were assembled in Germany from kits supplied by Nord, and 161 more were built by Flugzeugbau Nord, a satellite firm set up in Germany by Nord specifically to build the Noratlas. These aircraft were designated "N-2501D".

The Israelis bought 30 "N-2501IS" machines, generally similar to the standard N-2501. The Israelis were forced to buy their first batch of three Noratlas transports as a condition of a sale of twelve Dassault Ouragan fighters. The Israelis were unhappy at first about being forced to buy the transports, but came to appreciate their usefulness.

The Noratlas served Israel in the Suez conflict in 1956, the Six-Day War in 1967, and the Yom Kippur War in 1973. They were used not only for cargo transport and paratroop drop, but for maritime patrol. The Israeli machines were finally retired in 1978.

Portugal also bought 12 N-2501s. Used French and German aircraft were bought by Niger (4), Nigeria (6), Chad (10), and Greece (40). Some N-2501s remained in civilian service into the 1990s. pics ahs 12-27