Latecoere 299 (oz16467)

About this Plan

Latecoere 299. Free flight scale model for rubber power. Wingspan 27 in.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "LATECOERE LATE 299A
27” SPAN RUBBER POWERED MODEL
SINGLE PROP OR CONTRA-PROP
DRAWN BY TOM AKERY DECEMBER 11, 2025

Miguel, here’s a Latecoere plan, there’s a lot of great potential here! Thanks for the tip!

The design of Latécoère 299 was started on March 8, 1937, when the Marine Ministry of France approved a general program for the renewal of the aircraft fleet.

Among other specifications, an assignment was made for the design of SB aircraft (observer-bomber). The specification was for a single-engine seaplane weighing up to 3,500 kg, a double seaplane weighing up to 1600 kg and a twin-engine aircraft with a folding wing for the carrier “Bearn”. There are several tasks at once: planes must be reconaisance, spotting enemy submarines, dive bombing or torpedo attack, and also covered by friendly vessels with smoke. the max speed should be at least 300 km / h.

This fighter was designed by designers Vernis and Gatier and had very promising characteristics, so VB.10 fell into the category of priority developments. If now there was nowhere to hurry, Verniss “bargained” from the DTI (Office of Advanced Technology) both Latecotere 299 prototypes, the Laté 299-01 and Laté 299-02, both with 970 hp HS.12Y-43 engines.

It was not difficult to do this, as these planes suddenly turned out to be unclaimed. Verniss suggested using them to develop the installation of tandem HS 12Z motors, connected by an Arsenal 200 transmission system and rotating in opposite directions, two coaxial props with a diameter of 3.2 meters. Because of this, the single-seat cockpit was moved closer to the tail. Because of this, it was necessary to make the cabin single and move it closer to the tail, but in the rear part there was a place for a mechanic who could regulate the operation of the power plant.

Reconstruction of the aircraft began in 1942 and after processing it received the new designation Latecoere 299A. When the aircraft was almost ready for testing, it turned out that it was not realistic to get the HS 12Z engines in the near future, and instead of them the less powerful but quite affordable HS 12Y-31 (800 hp) were installed.

Complete occupation of the country prevented the completion of the matter, but Verniss managed by some miracle to convince the Germans to continue building prototypes, which was done in 1943. As a result of delays, the Latecoere 299A was rolled out onto the take-off field only in April 1944, after two months of preliminary static tests. He never rose into the air. The German pilots at the Bron airbase took several runs on it, ending in capotation with damage to the nose of the fuselage. Latecoere 299A was again sent for repair, where he waited for a raid of allied aircraft. On April 30, 1944, this aircraft burned down in a hangar, leaving Verniss without a test bench.

–ALL AERO.COM

CONSTRUCTION:

WING: The wing is constructed using the Dave Rees’ sliced rib method of construction. Check out the video of this method on Mike Stuart’s site: https://www.ffscale.co.uk/rees.htm

FUSELAGE: The fuselage is built using the “Ladder Jig” construction technique. Tom Hallman has a video of this method in his video of Maxfliart’s Twin Beech staggerwing build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yUYY1dqfH8 dimensions takern from the plan.

Empennage: The horizontal and vertical stabs are constructed using 3/32” SQ and 1/16” sheet (verticle spar) for construction.

Thanks for your great site, Steve and Mary. Keep up the great work.
Regards,
Tom Akery/Sky9pilot"

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