Caudron C.59 — Notice Technique, Parts Catalog & Brochure Commerciale

Aéroplanes Caudron — Primary-Source Archival Edition

One of the most successful training aircraft of the 1920s, the Caudron C.59 was produced in greater numbers than almost any other French aircraft of its era — over 1,800 units built between 1922 and 1924, serving the Aéronautique Militaire, French Naval Aviation, and air arms across four continents. Designed by Paul Deville and René Talpin at Société des Avions Caudron, it set the standard for intermediate biplane training through the mid-1920s. This archival edition brings together the original factory Notice Technique (two editions), the Répertoire des Pièces R.T.2 parts catalog, and the complete trilingual Brochure Commerciale — a rare survival of Caudron's original sales documentation in French, English, and Spanish.

Document Manifest

Technical Documentation

• Notice Technique — Caudron C.59 ET2 (Manufacturer Edition) — Factory-issued technical notice for the C.59, manufacturer’s edition. Covers airframe structure, systems description, and maintenance procedures.
• Notice Technique — Caudron C.59 ET2 (Second Edition) — Revised technical notice, second edition. Covers updated structural and systems data.
• Répertoire des Pièces — Caudron C.59 R.T.2 (Parts Catalog) — Original factory parts catalog for the C.59, listing all airframe and engine components with reference numbers.

Commercial Documentation

• Brochure Commerciale — Aéroplanes Caudron, Type C.59 — Complete 8-page trilingual sales brochure (French / English / Spanish). Includes:
  • Trilingual specifications sheet — 140 HP version: Envergure sup. 10 m 240 / inf. 9 m 520; Longueur 7 m 800; Hauteur 2 m 700; Poids à vide 590 kg; Poids utile 160 kg; Poids total 890 kg
  • Trilingual specifications sheet — 140/180 HP version: Envergure sup. 10 m 240 / inf. 9 m 250; Longueur 7 m 730; Poids à vide 670 kg; Poids utile 160 kg; Poids total 1,000 kg
  • Factory photograph: Vue des Usines Caudron à Issy-les-Moulinaux (two editions — orange border and blue border)
  • Aircraft photograph: C.59 registration F-ESAIF on grass airfield
  • Caudron script logo cover page, Type C.59

Design & Structure

• Type: Un-staggered two-bay biplane, wood construction, canvas fabric covering
• Wings: Upper wing greater span than lower; ailerons on upper wing only
• Cockpit: Open tandem dual-control layout — student forward under upper wing, instructor aft
• Engine: Hispano-Suiza 8Ab V-8 water-cooled, 130 kW (180 hp), two-blade wooden propeller
• Cooling: Lamblin radiator positioned under the fuselage forward of the fixed undercarriage

Technical Specifications

Operational History & Export

The Aéronautique Militaire absorbed approximately 1,000 C.59s as its standard intermediate trainer; French Naval Aviation operated a further batch. Around 800 aircraft were exported to Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Finland, Portugal, and Turkey. A modified variant, the C.59/2, used a 230 hp Lorraine 7Ma engine and directly inspired the subsequent Caudron C.60. Surviving aircraft saw operational use during the Spanish Civil War.

This is an archival, static-copy edition fixed at its original publication date. Intended for historical reference, flight simulation, museum restoration, and educational use only. Not approved for active airworthiness maintenance under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13, EASA Part-M, or equivalent international regulations. Operators of active aircraft must use current, revision-controlled publications from the Type Certificate holder or an authorised distributor.

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