Renault's 1930s Caudron Rafale C.460 racing plane replica takes flight again
A painstaking replica of the 1934 Caudron Rafale C.460 racing plane, originally powered by a Renault engine, is flying again at French airshows after a two-year restoration by Aéro Restauration Service in Dijon. The original aircraft, designed by Marcel Riffard, was built for the Coupe Deutsch de la Meurthe race. Legendary aviators Maurice Arnoux, Raymond Delmotte, and Hélène Boucher flew it; Boucher set a class record of 284mph in a C.450, and Delmotte reached 314.32mph on Christmas Day 1934 in the C.460. All original C.450 and C.460 airframes and plans were lost during WWII. The replica, piloted by chief restorer Bruno Ducreux, lands at 160km/h and has limited visibility. After airshow appearances, it will be housed at Renault's future heritage museum Les Collections at Flins, opening in 2027. The Rafale name also inspired Renault's modern hybrid crossover Rafale.
Key facts
- Renault supplied the engine for the 1934 Caudron Rafale C.460 racing plane.
- The replica was restored over two years by Aéro Restauration Service in Dijon.
- Original aircraft and plans were lost during WWII.
- Hélène Boucher set a class speed record of 284mph in a Rafale C.450.
- Raymond Delmotte reached 314.32mph on Christmas Day 1934 in the C.460.
- The plane was designed by Marcel Riffard, who also designed the Renault Nervasport and Etoile Filante.
- The replica is piloted by Bruno Ducreux and lands at 160km/h.
- After airshows, it will go to Renault's Les Collections museum at Flins, opening in 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Marcel Riffard
- Maurice Arnoux
- Raymond Delmotte
- Hélène Boucher
- Bruno Ducreux
- Adam Hay-Nicholls
Institutions
- Renault
- Caudron
- Aéro Restauration Service
- Wallpaper*
- Les Collections
- Renault UK
Locations
- Dijon
- France
- Etampes
- Chartres
- Paris
- California
- Flins
- Cerny