SCHRECK FBA 17 HE-2

The Schreck FBA-17H was a French mixed biplane design flying boat. The drive was provided by a single engine Hispano-Suiza L-4 or Hispano-Suiza Bab with 140 or 180 HP. The flight of the prototype took place in 1923, and serial production began in 1924, ending with the production of about 140 machines of this type. The machine did not have a permanent armament. The Schreck FBA-17H was established as a grassroots initiative by aviation companies Hydravions Louis Schreck FBA. The new plane turned out to be a successful design, which was relatively quickly purchased by the aviation of the French Navy. Two versions of this aircraft were created in the course of serial production. The first of them - marked as FBA-17HE-2 - acted as a school and training machine. The second version was developed as early as 1924 and was called FBA-17HMT-2. It differed from its predecessor by using a more powerful engine and adding a wheeled chassis. It also acted as a patrol and observation machine. The planes of both versions were used by aviation of the French navy mainly in the Mediterranean basin in the 1920s and early 1930s. Japan, Canada and Poland were among the foreign recipients. In 1926, 16 machines of this type were delivered to the Vistula River in both versions. Most of these planes found their way to the equipment of the Marine Aviation Squadron, but by 1937 they were withdrawn from the line. Only one machine of this type was to take part in the September campaign.