This work traces the history, under the French roundels, of the NC 700, 701 and 702 “Martinet” aircraft as well as that of the Siebel 204 D built in France from which they came. Although more than 350 aircraft of this type served in the French air forces until the mid-1960s, the “Martinet” is often forgotten in stories devoted to operational engagements or daily unit missions.
Perhaps we have forgotten this plane because of its origin? Indeed, the construction of the “Martinet” resulted from the heavy constraints weighing on the French aeronautical industry at the end of the Second World War: the most effective solution to provide the forces with an essential liaison and “servitude” aircraft was then to continue, under another name and with some modifications already studied under the occupation, the construction of the Siebel 204 D. This had been imposed in France in 1941 by the German occupier to equip its own forces and upon liberation the industrial tool, although degraded, was still available.
Thus, the "Martinet" are part of the lineage of the German aircraft Kl 104, Fh 104 then Si 204, the SI 204 D version of which was in service with the Luftwaffe in 1940 for the training and training of fighter and fighter crews. bombing raid. In Bourges, during the occupation, the Société Nationale des Constructions Aéronautiques du Center (SNCAC) produced 168 Siebel 204s for the German army. Upon release, production continued under the name NC 700 then NC 701, these models being differentiated by French propellers and engines. A version dedicated to the transport of 8 to 10 passengers is also built under the name NC 702, it is recognizable by its unglazed front tip.
Under the name “Martinet”, the NC 700, 701 and 702 joined the units of the Air Force, but also those of the Naval Aeronautics, some Siebel 204 taken from the German army were also assigned there.
For photo reconnaissance or support missions, NC 701s in armed version will be engaged in Indochina then in North Africa. Other “Martinets” will carry out numerous evacuations of injured people and transport passengers. The training of pilots in twin-engine flight and that of radionavigators will be among the important missions carried out by the “Martinet”. On a daily basis, it is also the frequent various transport missions which will make them popular in the Air Force where many air bases and numerous units will be equipped with them.
Among the 371 “Martinets” built in France, more than sixty will also be operated either by state organizations, such as the Flight Test Center or the National Geographic Institute, or by civil airlines including Air France and some foreign companies.
Unjustly forgotten, the “Martinet” is perhaps also forgotten because of its name: in fact, even within the armies, the numerous NC 701 or NC 702 were often and incorrectly called “Siebel”. However, they served with dignity under our cockades, as proven by the stories of the crews who put them into flight and which are collected in this work. It was therefore natural to retrace with as much precision as possible the history of these 371 military and civilian “Martinets”. All gathered in 448 pages, with more than 600 photos, 80 color profiles, as well as sketches, maps and numerous insignia.
