SNCAC & SNCAN 'Nord' NC-840/850/860 family production list
Compiled by David Wise

NOTES

This list has been compiled from French & other registers published over the years by Air Britain and LAAS, the Wrecks & Relics appendices in several AB French registers, Mike Bursell's European Wrecks & Relics of 1989, Air Britain News, Rod Simpson's Airlife's General Aviation, Pascal Brugier's complete French register web-site and Bernie King's and my own personal records.

This web page was originally posted in Jan 2002. This update includes an extensive input on all models from Roger Braithwaite and contributions on NC856's from Ken Tilley and Andy Marden, as well as a check-back on re-registration dates, and miscellaneous updates from AB news.

The lists are confused by several separate production number sequences, starting at 01 or 1 for each model, but then followed by widespread retrospective model amendments due to engine changes. Some earlier model changes were accompanied by assignment of new c/ns, but this was later dropped and model numbers were changed while retaining the same c/n. Also for some models, there is both a c/n 01 prototype and a separate c/n 1 first production aircraft.

There are still many unanswered questions, particularly regarding the dates of model changes, and the precise cancellation details of those deleted up to the early 1970's, also the military careers and disposal of the 856's.

A primary reason for publishing this list is to provoke feedback. Any additions or corrections would be very welcome. Please e-mail me: dave.wise@btinternet.com.

BACKGROUND

The NC-840/850 series were a family of light aircraft produced between 1946 and 1953 by the French nationalised aircraft companies Societe Nationale des Constructions Aeronautiques du Centre and du Nord (SNCAC and SNCAN). The design and initial production was by SNCAC at Bourges. SNCAC ceased operating in 7/49 but production was then continued by SNCAN.

The family has become commonly referred to as Nords even though the design and early production was by Centre. Several were imported into Britain - one was registered G-NORD, but paradoxically this was the only import which was actually a Centre-built example and wasn't a Nord!

Models NC-840/841

Built by Centre as Model NC-840 Chardonneret
140 hp Renault 6Q10; 3/4-seat, high-wing, single-fin, tricycle undercarriage
01 840 11/46 F-WCDD (ff 3/11/46) cx by 64

Built by Centre as Model NC-841 Chardonneret
As NC840 but with 175H Mathis radial engine & tailwheel
01 841   F-WCZD cx by 64

Models NC-850/851/852

Models NC-850/851/852 were a two-seat shoulder-wing single-fin tail-wheel design, the different model numbers having different engines.

They were designed as entries for a competition in 1947, for a contract to produce training aircraft for use in the schools operated by the Service de l'Aviation Legere et Sportive (SALS).
Built by Centre as Model NC-850:
75 hp Mathis G4F
01 850   F-WCZM (7/47) F-BCZM cx by 64
02 850 to 851   F-BDZA conv to NC-851 c/n 07
Probably also c/n 03 & 04 completed as NC-851 c/n 08 & 09.

Built by Centre as Model NC-851:
75 hp Minie 4DA28
01 851   F-WDVX cx by 64
02 851 to 852 3/48 F-BDZB reb as NC-852 c/n 02
03 851   F-BDZD cx by 64
04 851   F-BDZE cx by 64
05 851 3/48 F-BDZG cx by 64
06 851 3/48 F-BDZH cx by 64
07 851   F-BDZA (rebuilt from NC-850 c/n 02) cx by 64
08 851 4/48 F-BDZC (poss built from NC-850 c/n 03) cx by 64
09 851   F-BDZF (poss built from NC-850 c/n 04) cx by 64

Built by Centre as Model NC-852:
90 hp Regnier 4E0
01 852   F-WDVY (not -BDVY) cx by 64
02 851 to 852 3/48 F-BDZB (6/58) to F-PDZB reb from NC-851 c/n 02 cx 5/64

Models NC-853 to 859 (except 856)

Main production as the result of SALS competition. Though taking second place to the Sipa 901, an order was placed for 100 aircraft of the definitive NC-853 model, which was the NC-851 modified with H-tail.

SNCAC ceased operation in July 1949 and production was taken over by SNCAN and continued to December 1951. Suffix S were built by Nord.

Many were subsequently re-engined with consequent model changes. Models summarised as follows:
NC-853: 80 hp Minie 4DC30.
NC-853G: modified wing - Gerard Aile Flottante (c/n 66).
NC-854: 65 hp Continental A65.
NC-854SA: Converted for Army evaluation.
NC-855: 75 hp Praga DW.
NC-856: Enlarged 3/4-seat variant listed separately below
NC-857: Not built.
NC-858: 90 hp Continental C90-12F.
NC-859: 105 hp Walter Minor 4-111W (primarily as glider tugs).

Built by Centre as Model NC-853
01 853 to 854 3/48 F-WEPG F-BEPG (ff 15/3/48) cx by 64
1 853 to 854   F-BDZJ wfu 3/65
2 853   F-BDZK cx by 64
3 853   F-BDZM cx about 66
4 853 to 858 2/50 F-BDZN cx about 75
5 853 to 858   F-BDZO cx about 66
6 853 to 854 4/49 F-BDZP current (at Angers museum 9/03)
7 853 to 854 10/49 F-BDZQ cx about 63
8 853 to 854   F-BDZR cx by 64
9 853 to 858   F-BDZS cx about 72
10 853 to 854   F-BDZT (?/87) F-WZBL (7/93) F-AZPL (cx c72 rest 87) current
11 853 to 854   F-BDZU (?/71) N62419 current (at Malvern, PA)
12 853 to 858   F-BFIA (8/64) OO-FAC current
13 853   F-BFIB cx by 64
14 853 to 854 4/50 F-BFIC cx about 75
15 853   F-BFID cx by 64
16 853   F-BFIE cx about 64
17 853   F-BFIH cx by 64
18 853   F-BFII cx by 64
19 853   F-BFIJ cx by 64
20 853   F-BFIK cx by 64
21 853 to 854   F-BFIL cx about 70 (wings used in c/n 146)
22 853 to 859   F-BFIF reb as 859 proto c/n 01
23 853 to 858 8/57 F-BFIQ wfu 12/86 cx 8/96 (stored Lille-Marcq)
24 853 to 858   F-BFIR cx about 72
25 853 to 854   F-BFIT cx about 70
26 853 to 854   F-BFIU cx about 66
27 853 to 858 5/53 F-BFIV F-BJUN (also quoted as 854 c/n 02 ?) current (on rebuild)

Built by Centre as Model NC-854
01 854   F-BDZI cx by 64
41 854   F-BDZL cx about 68

Serial production batch of NC854. Status of this block is not fully resolved and several of them were completed as 853's.
1 854   F-BFIM (3/65) 7T-VMM cx by 72
2 854   F-BFIN cx by 64
3 854   F-BFIO cx by 64
4 854   F-BFIP cx by 64
5 854   ? (prob completed as 853 c/n 23)
6 854   ? (prob completed as 853 c/n 24)
7 854 10/49 F-BFIS (10/78) G-NORD current (stored for reb since 1982)
8 854   ? (prob completed as 853 c/n 25)
9 854   ? (prob completed as 853 c/n 26)
10 854   ? (prob completed as 853 c/n 27)

Built by Centre as Model NC-855
01 855   F-BFKO cx by 64

Built by Nord as Model NC-853S
51 853S   F-BFSA cx by 64
52 853S to 854SA   F-BBOP Mil eval. cx about 70
53 853S   F-BFSB cx by 64
54 853S to 854S 7/51 F-BFSC (6/81) (G-AMPE) G-BIUP current
55 853S to 854S 12/50 F-BFSD (2/80) G-KERC cr 10/93 cx 2/94
56 853S   F-BFSE cx by 64
57 853S to 858S 1/51 F-BFSF wfu 1/82 cx 5/93
58 853S to 854S   F-BFSG OO-MVM(ntu) (10/81) G-BJLB cr 7/84 cx 4/89
59 853S to 854SA   F-BBOU Mil eval. cx by 64
60 853S to 854SA   F-BDQA mil eval. cx about 72 st Pons-Avy 82
61 853S   F-BFSH cx by 64
62 853S to 858S   F-BFSI cx about 72 (winjgs at Etampes 7/84)
63 853S to 858S 12/50 F-BFSJ (12/78) G-BGEW current
64 853S to 858S 11/50 F-BFSK (5/97) F-PJDZ (cx c75 reb rest 5/97) current
65 853S to 854S   F-BFSL cx about 75
66 853S to 853G   F-BFSM F-WFSM Gerard Aile Flottante experimental wing. cx about 66
67 853S   F-BFSN cx by 64
68 853S   F-BFSO cx by 64
69 853S   F-BFSP cx by 64
70 853S to 854S 1/51 F-BFSQ cx about 75
71 853S to 854S 12/50 F-BFSR cx about 78 st Pons-Avy 82
72 853S to 858S 12/50 F-BFSS cx about 75
73 853S   F-BFST cx by 64
74 853S to 858S 1/51 F-BFSU (res ?/02) (F-PPAN ntu) (12/06) F-PONC on rebuild 89-05+ for Escad. Pegase, Salon then Escad Souvenir, Niort 05 at Lognes 5/06 current
75 853S   F-BFSV cx by 64
76 853S to 858S 2/51 F-BFSX cx about 75
77 853S to 858S 12/50 F-BFSY st St Rambert 89 wfu 5/96 cx 2/03 rest 8/05 current
78 853S to 854S 2/51 F-BFSZ (11/98) F-POOO (cx 11/98 rest 1/00) current
79 853S to 854S   F-BCTH cx about 68
80 853S to 854S 4/51 F-BCTI cx about 86
81 853S to 858S   F-BCTJ cx about 66
82 853S   F-BCTK cx by 64
83 853S   F-BCTL cx by 64
84 853S   F-BCTM cx by 64
85 853S   F-BCTN cx by 64
86 853S   F-BCTO cx by 64
87 853S to 858S   F-BCTP cx by 64
88 853S to 854S   F-BCTQ cx by 64
89 853S to 858S   F-BCTR cx about 70
90 853S to 858S   F-BCTS cx about 68
91 853S to 854S   F-BCTT cx about 66
92 853S   F-BCTU cx by 64
93 853S to 854S 2/51 F-BCTV cx about 75
94 853S   F-BEZA cx by 64
95 853S   F-BEZB cx by 64
96 853S   F-BEZC cx by 64
97 853S to 858S 2/51 F-BEZD (1/79) G-BPZD (dgd London City 7/06) current
98 853S   F-BEZE cx by 64
99 853S   F-BEZF cx by 64 st dism Montpellier 87
100 853S to 858S 2/51 F-BEZG (cx 82 rest 91) rest Montpellier 87 current
101 853S to 858S   F-BEZH cx about 72 (reb at St Rambert in 1999)
102 853S   F-BEZI cx by 64
103 853S to 858S   F-BEZJ cx about 72
104 853S to 854S   F-BEZK (8/64) OO-FAS current
105 853S to 854S   F-BEZL cx about 68
106 853S to 858S   F-BEZM cx about 70
107 853S to 854S   F-BEZN cx about 68
108 853S to 858S   F-BEZO cx about 68
109 853S to 854S   F-BEZP cx about 66
110 853S to 858S 3/51 F-BEZQ (5/76) G-BDXX dgd 8/95 on reb (cx by CAA 5/04 rest 7/04) current
111 853S   F-BEZR cx by 64
112 853S   F-BEZS cx by 64
113 853S to 854S 3/51 F-BEZT (8/81) G-BJEL current
114 853S to 854S 3/51 F-BEZU cx about 72
115 853S   F-BEZV cx by 64
116 853S to 858S 3/51 F-BEZX current
117 853S to 854S   F-BEZY cx about 72
118 853S to 854S 3/51 F-BEZZ (4/73) G-BAUZ cx wfu 8/84
119 853S   F-BAFB cx by 64
120 853S   F-BAFE cx by 64
121 853S to 858S   F-BAFF cx about 66
122 853S to 854S 4/51 F-BAFG (6/73) G-BCGH current
123 853S to 854S   F-BAFH cx about 66
124 853S   F-BAFI cx by 64
125 853S   F-BAFJ cx by 64
126 853S to 854S 4/51 F-BAFK cx about 75
127 853S to 854S   F-BAFL cx about 68
128 853S to 854S   F-BAFN cx about 66
129 853S   F-BAFS cx by 66
130 853S to 854S   F-BAFT cx about 66 st Pons-Avy 82
131 853S   F-BAFV (9/65) OO-MUT cr 4/74
132 853S to 854S   F-BAGA cx about 66
133 853S   F-BAGB cx by 64
134 853S   F-BBJF cx by 64
135 853S to 854S   F-BBJH cx about 68
136 853S to 858S   F-BBJK cx about 72
137 853S   F-BBJL cx by 64
138 853S to 858S 9/51 F-BBJQ cx about 75
139 853S to 858S 9/51 F-BBJY st Riberac 82-86 current (on rebuild)
140 853S to 858S 9/51 F-BBJZ current
141 853S   F-BBRB cx by 64
142 853S to 858S 10/51 F-BBRP reb Esc. Pegase at Aix 79-05 rest 12/05 current
143 853S   F-BBRQ cx by 64
144 853S to 858S   F-BBRR cx about 70
145 853S   F-BBRS cx by 64

Built by Nord as Model NC-859S:
01 853 to 859   F-BFIF (conv from NC-853 c/n 22) cx by 64
1 859S   F-BFOS cx about 66
2 859S to 858S 8/50 F-BFIY (9/75) G-BDJR current
3 859S   F-BFIZ cx about 66
4 859S 9/50 F-BDYO cx c75 in museum at Castres. To Musee de l'Aviation Legere at Revel by 07.
5 859S   F-BDYP cx about 68
6 859S   F-BFTA (in Cambodia) cx about 55
7 859S 10/50 F-BFTB (in Cambodia) cx about 68
8 859S 11/50 F-BFTC (in Cambodia) cx about 55

Amateur-built from spares:
146 854S 12/92 F-PFYS (built from spares, wings ex c/n 21) cx by BV 11/02 but still current on DGAC
01 854CM 2/03 F-PMCB (rebuilt by C Marcandier res 12/99) current

Model NC-856

Developed from NC853-series with enlarged 3/4-seat cabin.
Built by Centre as Model NC-856 and NC-856N Norclub

Prototype 105 hp Walter Minor: Later modified to 856A prototype ff 3/51 with 135hp Regnier 4LO4 Then to 856B with 4-seat cabin.

Also 856N: civil version with 4 seats. Several ex-military aircraft converted to this standard when sold off.
01 856 to 856A/B 3/49 F-WFKF (7/49) F-BFKF (3/06) G-CDWE ff 12/3/49 cx about 73
01 856A/B   F-WFKG cx by 64
02 856   F-BFIG Fr Mil cx by 64 mil prototype
1 856N   F-WHHC F-BHHC cx about 72
2 856N   F-BBBY (res 04) F-PBFT cx about 72 - st Toussous 3/65 Wings at Cannes 6/84 reb 04+ current
Built by Nord as Model NC-856A Norvegie:

Production military version with 3 seats &160 hp Regnier 4LO8.

Replaced for front-line Army use by Nord 3400 in about 1958-61. Some then allocated to secondary units, including several with GAALEA/312 at Salon using F-SDYx callsigns and one with Aeronavale (F-YCZH of CAN8, St Tropez, believed to be one of 24/25/26 ?)
1 856A      
2 856A     st Toussous 3/65
3 856A   Fr mil (7/69) to F-BNAR(2) wfu 3/79 cx 10/90 [reported at Brienne but this now thought to be either 57 or 93] st at St Malo-St Servan 7/84 to F-PHAL res 11/06
4 856A      
5 856A      
6 856A   Fr Mil F-MMEB test-flown with 220 hp Potez 4D-31
7 856A      
8 856A      
9 856A   Fr Mil to F-BNAR(1) (st St Cyr 3/65)
10 856A   Fr mil (5/71) to F-BNRU st St Cyr (3/65-5/71) museum at Etampes 7/84 to Meaux 86-89
11 856A      
12 856A      
13 856A   Fr Mil to F-WNCF (7/04) F-PNCF To collection at Dieppe. On restoration at Toulouse-Lasbordes 4/02-7/04 current
14 856A      
15 856A      
16 856A      
17 856A   Fr Mil F-MAGH  
18 856A   F-SDYB (in 2/66) st La Bouilladisse [13] 11/84
19 856A      
20 856A      
21 856A      
22 856A   F-SDYC (in 2/66)  
23 856A      
24 856A   Fr mil (7/69) F-BNRV (st St Cyr 3/65-6/69) cx about 75, at CAE Aquitaine, Bordeaux 05
25 856A   Fr mil F-BJLH (?/88) F-BYCM (2/90) F-AZHA current at Ruoms
26 856A     at Albert 8/01
27 856A      
28 856A      
29 856A   Fr mil (1/74) to F-BNKT st St Cyr 3/65 derelict La Ferte Alais 82-84
30 856A      
31 856A      
32 856A      
33 856A   Fr mil to F-BIUK(1) (12/98) F-PGCD (cx by 64 rest 12/98) current
34 856A     (st Toussous 3/65)
35 856A      
36 856A      
37 856A      
38 856A   Fr Mil F-MMCB on rebuild at Pontoise 99-04+ res as F-PMBC NC856G c/n "02"
39 856A      
40 856A      
41 856A      
42 856A      
43 856A      
44 856A      
45 856A      
46 856A      
47 856A      
48 856A   Fr Mil (st Toussous 3/65)
49 856A      
50 856A   Fr Mil F-MAYK  
51 856A   Fr mil F-MAYM to Besancon to Museum at Nancy-Mereville 75 (conf 82-84-89)
52 856A      
53 856A      
54 856A   Fr Mil F-MADM to Sabena Old-Timers, Brussels-Melsbroek (5/97-3/00)
55 856A   Fr Mil (1/74) F-BNRX (st St Cyr 3/65) cx about 75 dism at St Lo 8/76 to CAE Aquitaine Bordeaux (7/98-05)
56 856A      
57 856A   Fr Mil F-BNAL (st St Cyr 3/65 Chateau Thierry 6/67) cx mid-60s (poss to museum at Brienne 87) on reb Angers museum 9/03
58 856A   Fr Mil F-SDYF (in 2/66)  
59 856A      
60 856A      
61 856A     (st Toussous 3/65)
62 856A      
63 856A   Fr Mil F-SDYG (in 2/66)  
64 856A     (st St Cyr3/65)
65 856A      
66 856A      
67 856A   Fr Mil F-SDYH (in 2/66)  
68 856A   Fr Mil F-SDYI (in 2/66)  
69 856A     (st Toussous 3/65)
70 856A      
71 856A      
72 856A      
73 856A      
74 856A      
75 856A      
76 856A     (disp at garage in Rouen 2/67)
77 856A      
78 856A      
79 856A   Fr Mil to D-ENCH
80 856A      
81 856A      
82 856A      
83 856A      
84 856A      
85 856A   Fr mil F-MMGC (5/69) F-BNRY at St Cyr 3/65-5/69 current (on reb Andernos 6/94-10/02+)
86 856A   Fr Mil F-SDYJ (in 2/66)  
87 856A      
88 856A      
89 856A   Fr Mil F-SDYK (in 2/66)  
90 856A      
91 856A      
92 856A   Fr Mil F-MAYI scr Istres 72
93 856A   Fr Mil F-SDYL (in 2/66) to museum at Brienne (maybe and/or c/n 57)
94 856A   Fr Mil F-SDYM (in 2/66) F-MAGM Museum at Pourville sue Mer nr Dieppe 82-87
95 856A      
96 856A      
97 856A   Fr Mil F-SDYN (in 2/66)  
98 856A      
99 856A     (st Toussous 3/65)
100 856A   Fr mil F-MBFS to F-BHEC cx by 64
101 856A   Fr mil to F-BNAT st St Cyr 3/65
listed at Musee de l'Air Le Bourget 84-89 but amended to c/n 111 (poss both there?)
102 856A   Fr Mil F-SDYO (in 2/66) scr Istres 72
103 856A   Fr Mil F-SDYP (in 2/66)  
104 856A   Fr Mil F-SDYQ (in 2/66)  
105 856A   Fr mil F-MAFI (1/74) F-BNRZ (st St Cyr 3/65) stored La Ferte Alais 82-84 to CAE Aquitaine at Bordeaux-Merignac (9/97-05)
106 856A   Fr Mil F-SDYR (in 2/66)  
107 856A      
108 856A   Fr mil F-SDYS (in 2/66) museum at Nancy-Essey on reb 89 to Albert 8/01
109 856A      
110 856A      
111 856A     to Musee de l'Air Le Bourget st Dugny (in 01)
112 856A      
         
?? 856A   Fr Mil with Ailes Anciennes
?? 856A   Fr Mil to Bordeaux to ALAT museum at Dax arr 3/88 conf 10/01
?? 856A   Fr Mil stored Viapres le Petit [10] 78-7/83
?? 856A   Fr Mil museum at Luneville
?? 856A   Fr Mil museum at Etampes
?? 856A   Fr Mil Escadrille Orion at Marmande, to CAEA Bordeaux-Merignac (9/97-8/00)
?? 856A   Fr Mil disp garage at Pavillons sur Bois [93] in 82
?? 856A   Fr Mil at St Medard de Presque [46] 7/85
?? 856A   Fr Mil to F-BEHB cx by 64
?? 856A   Fr Mil to F-BKKU cx by 64 (at Toussous 6/65)
?? 856A   Fr Mil F-MAKK to F-BLLB cx by 64
?? 856A   Fr Mil to F-BNKU cx by 64

Built by Nord as Model NC-856H

Floatplane version of 856A (H=hydravion)
01 856H 12/53 F-WFAG to MR-PRR ff 21/12/53 cx by 64 [note MR- = Monaco]

Model NC-860

Twin developed from NC853, 4-seat; tricycle u/c. two 105 hp Walter Minor 4-111W;

Built by Centre as Model NC-860:
01 860 3/49 F-WFKJ ff 28/3/49 cx by 64