FBA 290
title: "FBA 290" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["fba-aircraft", "1930s-french-military-transport-aircraft", "flying-boats", "amphibious-aircraft", "single-engined-pusher-aircraft", "biplanes", "aircraft-first-flown-in-1931"] topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FBA_290" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox aircraft"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | FBA Model 290 |
| image | FBA 290 Annuaire de L'Aéronautique 1931.jpg |
| type | four-seat amphibian flying-boat |
| manufacturer | Franco-British Aviation Company |
| first_flight | 1931 |
| primary_user | French Navy |
| number_built | 10 |
| :: |
|name=FBA Model 290 |image=FBA 290 Annuaire de L'Aéronautique 1931.jpg |caption= |type=four-seat amphibian flying-boat |manufacturer=Franco-British Aviation Company |designer= |first_flight=1931 |introduction= |retired= |status= |primary_user=French Navy |more_users= |produced= |number_built=10 |variants=
The Franco-British Aviation Model 290 was a French four-seat amphibian flying boat built by the Franco-British Aviation Company (FBA) as a replacement for the Model 17 in French naval service.
Development
The FBA Company was requested to design a successor to the Model 17 in the liaison and training role. The company used the experience gained in the Model 270 and 271 and produced the Model 290. The Model 290 was a biplane amphibian with a single radial engine driving a pusher propeller. It had room for four persons in the forward part of the hull. The Model 290 flew for the first time in April 1931 powered by a 300 hp (224 kW) Lorraine engine. A further example, the Model 291 was built with a Gnome-Rhône radial engine.
The French Navy was looking for a VIP transport and ordered eight aircraft based on the Model 291 and designated the Model 293 (with a Lorraine engine) and the Model 294 (with a Gnome-Rhône engine). The navy aircraft were used as executive transports and based at the major French naval air stations.
Variants
;Model 290 :Prototype with a 296hp (221kW) Lorraine 9Na radial engine, one built. ;Model 291 :Prototype with a 296hp (221kW) Gnome & Rhône 7Kb radial engine, one built. ;Model 293 :Production aircraft for the French Navy with a 296hp (221kW) Lorraine 9Na Algol radial engine, six built. ;Model 294 :Production aircraft for the French Navy with a 296hp (221kW) Gnome-Rhône 7Kb engine, two built.
Operators
;
Specifications (Model 293)
|ref=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 1633 |prime units? = imp |crew=One |capacity=Three passengers |length m=9.47 |length ft=31 |length in=0.75 |span m=13.10 |span ft=42 |span in=11.75 |height m=4.04 |height ft=13 |height in=3 |wing area sqm=40.15 |wing area sqft=432.19 |empty weight kg=1300 |empty weight lb=2866 |gross weight kg=2100 |gross weight lb=4360 |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Lorraine 9Na Algol 9-cylinder radial piston engine |eng1 kw=224 |eng1 hp=300 |max speed kmh=176 |max speed mph=109 |range km=525 |range miles=326 |ceiling m=4000 |ceiling ft=13,120
References
- Bousquet, Gérard. French Flying Boats of WW II. Sandomierz, Poland: Stratus, 2013
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, p. 1633
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