Potez 631

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This page is about the French bomber Potez 631. For other versions, see Potez 630 and Potez 633.
Potez 631
potez_631.png
GarageImage Potez 631.jpg
ArtImage Potez 631.png
Potez 631
Research:4 600 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:16 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

The SNCAN Potez 631 was the second production variant of the Potez 63 project, which was a project intended to provide France with modern heavy fighter capabilities and which eventually led to one of the most prolific and versatile series of combat aircraft to be built by the French aeronautical industry at the beginning of World War II. The 63 series, originally conceived in 1934, yielded not only strategic fighters but also light bombers as well as attack and reconnaissance planes, resulting in the production of more than 1,100 aircraft of different variants in the series by June 1940. This elegant aircraft remained in active service during the German occupation, and approximately 250 additional planes built in that period were used by the Luftwaffe as transport and liaison aircraft of the Vichy Air Force, the Italian Regia Aeronautica, and of the Romanian Air Force.

It was introduced in Update 1.73 "Vive la France" along with the initial French aviation tree. The Potez 631 is the second variant of the Potez found in the French Tech Tree dedicated for air-to-air combat. Compared to the previous Potez 630, the 631 features six wing-mounted 7.5 mm machine guns, which alongside the two 20 mm cannons mounted in the nose, give the Potez a powerful armament for its rank. However, this armament comes at the cost of speed, the added weight and already mediocre airframe coupled with less powerful engines than the previous variation makes this aircraft ineffective in duelling. Thus, it should be played in a more passive role, with boom and zoom tactics instead of rushing the center of the map.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 4 000 m430 km/h
Turn time21 s
Max altitude9 500 m
Engine2 х Gnome Rhone 14Mars
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight4 t

The Potez 631 is a slow climber and heavy lander, with a stall speed of 138 km/h (SB, 45 min fuel, full ammunition, no bombs), but is very stable in high-speed dives and turns and can be lethal when used properly as an energy fighter. Its maximum speed is modest at 332 km/h at 4,000 m (SB, 45 min fuel, full ammunition, no bombs) but manoeuvres surprisingly well at medium and high speeds and the canopy provides excellent 360-degree visibility.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 4,000 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 408 391 9500 22.4 23.6 4.1 4.1 350
Upgraded 453 430 19.8 21.0 12.1 7.4

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
710 295 346 329 240 ~10 ~7
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 360 < 360 < 330 > 320

Survivability and armour

Crew2 people
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear295 km/h

The Potez 631 has no armour and is relatively fragile, and highly vulnerable to damage from the front which makes it less-than-ideal as a high-level interceptor. There are 2 self-sealing fuel tanks; one close to each wingroot.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB458 → 628 Sl icon.png
RB916 → 1 256 Sl icon.png
SB1 106 → 1 517 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications8 400 Rp icon.png
9 480 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost640 Ge icon.png
Crew training4 500 Sl icon.png
Experts16 000 Sl icon.png
Aces180 Ge icon.png
Research Aces190 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
30 / 80 / 160 % Sl icon.png
118 / 118 / 118 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
470 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
470 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
530 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
530 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
600 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
600 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
770 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
770 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods engine extinguisher.png
EFS(a)
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
770 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
7_5mm_belt_pack
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
470 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods ammo.png
7_5mm_turret_belt_pack
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
470 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
mac39_new_gun
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
530 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods turret gun.png
mac39_turret_new_gun
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
530 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
hispano_belt_pack
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
600 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
100 GPs
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
600 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods weapon.png
hispano_404_new_gun
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
770 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition180 rounds
Fire rate700 shots/min
Ammunition1 800 rounds
Fire rate1 350 shots/min

The Potez 631 is armed with:

  • 2 x 20 mm Hispano 404 cannons, chin-mounted (90 rpg = 180 total)
  • 6 x 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine guns, wing-mounted (300 rpg = 1,800 total)

The cannons are arranged in the belly of the fuselage right under the pilot's seat. The machine guns are wing-mounted, three guns in each wing.

Universal ammunition belts are the preferred loadout for both weapons in most cases, although the extra armour-piercing capabilities of the ground target belt for the cannon will work effectively against both armoured ground targets and aircraft for penetrating engine blocks. A short-burst of both cannon and MG fire at convergence range will mortally wound or destroy any opponent of equivalent rank. Recommended convergence settings: 300 m for high-energy fighter engagements, 400 m for boom-and-zoom bounce tactics against fighters/bombers/attackers, 500 m for ground attack. An alternative setup would be tracers on the machine guns, as this makes leading easier and also is very potent for setting planes on fire, as every bullet is an API-T.

Suspended armament

List of setups (1)
Setup 12 x 100 kg No.1
Main article: №.1 (100 kg)

The Potez 631 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 2 x 100 kg №.1 bombs (200 kg total)

The Potez 631 can be armed with 2 x 100 No.1 bombs (118 kg each, with an explosive mass of 50 kg allowing for an armoured target destruction radius of 4 m) mounted under wing between the fuselage and each engine.

Defensive armament

Turret7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine gun
Ammunition1000 rounds
Fire rate1350 shots/min
Main article: MAC 1934 (7.5 mm)

The Potez 631 is defended by:

  • 1 x 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine gun, dorsal turret (1,000 rpg)

Usage in battles

The Potez 631 is best used as a mid- to low-altitude energy fighter. The sluggish climb, poor performance above 16,000 feet and vulnerability to frontal damage limit its effectiveness as a higher-altitude interceptor, while the stability and surprising manoeuvrability at high speeds make it ideal for diving on vulnerable targets at low altitudes and then extending away to begin the slow climb to set up for another pass. If you attract the attention of an enemy fighter, do not attempt to climb away or to execute any advanced manoeuvres such as loops or chandelles, as the Potez 631 bleeds energy at an exceptional rate in any kind of a climb. Just stay level with the throttle wide open and let the dorsal gunner ward off trailing attackers until you can safely begin a shallow climb to set up for re-engagement. Pilots with solid gunnery skills who can accurately gauge convergence distance can excel in this aircraft with six converged guns and two centreline cannons delivering a high volume of lethal ordnance to a small targeted area.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Separate Not controllable
1 gear
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent manoeuvrability, even when compared to single-engined fighters
  • Impressive offensive armament, delivering substantial firepower
  • Stable at high speeds, effective dive characteristics
  • Offers excellent 360-degree visibility for enhanced situational awareness
  • Enhanced armament and manoeuvrability than its predecessor

Cons:

  • The aircraft's large profile, along with the lack of armour, makes it highly vulnerable to battle damage
  • Very sluggish climb rate, unimpressive max speed in level flight
  • Poor energy retention in turns and especially in vertical loops
  • Ineffective defensive armament for protecting against incoming attacks.
  • Engine overheats when not utilising MEC
  • Poor performance above 4,800 m (16,000 ft.), WEP provides no performance boost above 2,000 m

History

In 1934, the French Air Ministry issued a requirement for a new twin-engine heavy fighter, capable of both day-fighter and night-fighter roles. The original Potez 630 prototype was designed to fulfil this role, while the Potez 631 was a re-engined variant of the 630 prototype. In July 1937, an initial order for 40 Potez 631 day-fighters was placed by the Air Ministry, and on August 2nd 1938, the first Potez 631 was accepted by the French Air Service. The aircraft was immediately used to re-equip units using the obsolete Les Mureaux 113 fighters then being used as night figher aircraft.

By the outbreak of the Second World War, the Air Service had 88 Potez 631 aircraft available, as well as many aircraft of other variants. The aircraft was brought into service in large numbers to replace the large numbers of D.500 and M.S.225 aircraft being retired from active duty. However, as soon as the aircraft was pressed into service against the Germans, it was highly evident that the aircraft was ineffective in its role. It could barely keep up with German bombers such as the Ju 88, let alone the Bf 109 and Bf 110 fighters the aircraft was commonly fighting over the skies of France. As a result, the aircraft suffered heavy losses; the most successful squadron, F1C of the Aéronavale, managed 12 kills for 8 losses before being withdrawn from combat.

Following the French Armistice of 1940, the air force of Vichy France inherited 82 Potez 631 aircraft that had been left intact. These aircraft were mostly based in North Africa; however, many were destroyed during Operation Torch. On November 27th 1942, German forces occupied the Vichy air force bases and seized their aircraft. Around 130 Potez 630-type aircraft were taken, and many were sent to Romania for use as target tugs and trainer aircraft. The German forces also resumed production of the type, and built numerous more Potez 630 aircraft for use in transport, liaison and training roles. After the end of WWII, several Potez 631 aircraft were retained for training roles. Of these, three were recaptured examples, and served as trainers with the re-established French Air Force.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

External links


Potez (SNCAN)
Fighters  Potez 630 · Potez 631
Bombers  Potez 633

France twin-engine fighters and strike aircraft
Twin-engine fighters  Potez 630 · Potez 631 · VB.10C-1 · VB.10-02
Strike aircraft  Br.693AB2 · ▄AD-4 · ▄AD-4NA
Netherlands 
Twin-engine fighters  ◗Fokker G.IA
Strike aircraft  ◘Firefly F.Mk.IV