Splendid oil on canvas by Malfroy Henry, a rare subject representing the Famous Latécorère 381, at the start of a record attempt of distance on the sea.

Original Art Deco Frame size 69x84cm

In 1929, and despite the lack of success of the Laté 32, Latécoère did not abandon the tandem twin-engine formula. At the same time, the Hispano company announced the arrival of the famous 12M and 12N engines. So a study was launched for a sesquiplaner with fins, Latécoère 38, soon to be renamed 380. The official services contracted for a "South Atlantic commercial seaplane", a contract that would also give birth to the famous Laté 300.

Shortly afterwards, the South Atlantic designation was withdrawn, and Latécoère 38-0-01 made its first flight on September 14, 1930 as a simple commercial seaplane. The seaplane underwent "marine" trials at Saint-Raphaël until early 1931, when it was favourably received.
Nevertheless, CEPA recommended several modifications: increase in length, longer fins, strengthening of the keel. The aircraft, bright red, was then acquired by the state and registered F-AKCS, under which it broke several records (duration, distance in closed circuit, speed over 1000 and 2000 km.) At the end, the navy requested its transformation into a Laté 380-bis.

Early Companies:

CMA – Compagnie des Messageries Aeriennes. Commenced 1.5.19 Paris-Lille; Paris-London 26.8.19 (JV with HandleyPage Transport).CGT – Compagnie Generale Transaerienne. Formed in 1909 to operate airships. Op Paris-London in 1920 in JV with AT&T.CGEA – Compagnie des Grands Express Aeriens. Formed 5.19 by Lt Villier and other air force officers. Paris-London wef5.3.20.Compagnie Latecoere. Formed 24.12.18 to fly Toulouse-Barcelona; to Alicante 25.2.19; to Rabat 20.3.19; to Casablanca1.9.19.CAF – Compagnie Aerienne Francaise. Nimes-Nice wef 17.4.19; Suspended 8.20.Aero Transport Compagnie Ernoult. Late 1919 operating Salmsons and Sopwiths Bordeaux-Agen-Toulouse-Narbonne-Bezier-Montpellier. Also op associate as Aero Publicite.TASO – Compagnie des Transports Aeriens du Sud Ouest. Formed 7.19; renamed Societe Franco Bilbaise des TransportsAeriens in 1920 (?). Biarritz-Bordeaux 8.19; to Sans Sebastian 9.19. Bayonne-Bilbao wef 13.6.20Lignes Farman. Paris-London. To Casablanca & Port Etienne 11.8.19; to Copenhagen 13.8.19. Paris-London 9.19; toBriussels Compagnie Aero Transport. Paris-Geneva 1.7.20 in associateion with L’Ecole Aero Suisse (Sopwiths)CFRNA – Compagnie Franco Roumaine de Navigation Aerienne – formed 23.4.20. Paris-Strasbourg 20.9.20(Salmson/Potez); to Prague 7.10.20.CGA – Compagnie Generale Aeronautique. Formed 1920Societe des Transports Aeriens Guyannais. Formed 1919 (Levy seaplanes) St Laurent-Snini-Cayenne

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