*Air France aime le cinéma* screen title.

*1933 - 1945 Un élan brisé* screen title.

Documentary (2019)

Production:
DXCI Agence de Communication Audiovisuelle (Productor)
Thierry Guedj (Realisator)
Xavier Thiam (Narrator)
Bernard Chabbert (Journaliste)
Eric Le Roy (Director of Film Heritage, CNC)
Ginette Vincendeau (Professor, King's College, University of London)
Raphaëlle Moine (Professor, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle - Paris 3)

Also from this series:
Air France other series

The rise of cinema in the 1930s quickly became a powerful promotional tool for the new company Air France, founded in 1933, which would participate in the production of numerous films until the outbreak of the Second World War.

Uncredited archives

Farman F.60 Goliath

Registration F-ADDT Farman F.60 Goliath of CGEA / Compagnie des Grands Express Aériens, c/n 6935.228.
Delivered new to CGEA in September 1921. Transferred to Air Union in 1923 after merge, named Languedoc. Crashed twice, on August 6th 1924 and November 14th 1925. Pilot injured and aircraft badly damaged but salvaged and rebuilt as F.63 Goliath, re-entering service in 1929. Crashed a third time on February 10th 1930 at Marden, Kent (UK) while landing. The airframe was destroyed. There were two fatalities.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Farman F.60 Goliath

Registration F-ADAY Farman F.60 Goliath of CMA-Compagnie des Messageries Aériennes, c/n 6833.39.
Delivered new to CMA in June 1921. Transferred to Air Union in 1923 after merge, named Alsace. Converted to Farman F.63 Bis Goliath.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Another aircraft of the same type to the right.

Farman F.61 Goliath

Registration F-AEFC Farman F.61 Goliath of CMA-Compagnie des Messageries Aériennes, c/n 6943.7.
Delivered to CMA in August 1922. Transferred to Air Union in 1923 after merge, named Provence. Cancelled in March 1928.

Same aircraft in other movies at Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Farman F.301

Farman F.301 of SGTA-Société Générale des Transports Aériens.
Production version with Salmson 9Ab engines (six built). Unknown registration F-AJxx delivered to SGTA in the early 1930s. See discussion tab (1).

Registration F-AJLP Farman F.301 of SGTA-Société Générale des Transports Aériens, c/n 7167.1.
Delivered new to SGTA in April 1930. Sold to Société des Moteurs Salmson. Sold to Air France in 1933, named Iris. Wfu in May 1935.

Seen further in this work. Same aircraft in other movies at Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing)

Potez 25.A2

Registration F-AJDX Potez 25.A2 of Aéropostale-Compagnie Générale Aéropostale, c/n 1520.
Delivered to Aéropostale in June 1929. Converted to Potez 25.55.

Another aircraft of the same type in the background. See discussion tab (2).

Bréguet 14 A2

Some heroes of "The Line" (Africa and South America) in the 20s/30s. Quite blurry to find out who they are. See discussion tab (3).

Latécoère 28-0

Registration F-AJOZ Latécoère 28-0 of Aéropostale-Compagnie Générale Aéropostale, c/n 924.
Delivered new to Aéropostale in May 1930. Converted to Latécoère 28-1. Transferred to Air France in 1933 after merge, named Vent d'Autan. Destroyed in May 1935.

Inside cabin.

Lioré et Olivier H.13

Registration F-AGAF Lioré et Olivier H.13 of Air Union Aéronavale, c/n 9.
Delivered to Clément Bayard in January 1924. Sold to Société Aéronavale, transferred to Air Union Aéronavale after merge. See discussion tab (4).

Lioré et Olivier H.13

Registration F-AEHK Lioré et Olivier H.13 of Air Union Aéronavale, c/n 2.
Delivered to Société Aéronavale in October 1922, transferred to Air Union Aéronavale after merge. Destroyed in February 1929.

Farman F.301

Registration F-AJMK Farman F.301 of SGTA-Société Générale des Transports Aériens, c/n 7186.6.
Delivered new to SGTA in July 1930. Transferred to Air France in 1933, named Cyclamen. Wfu in May 1935.

CAMS 53/2

Registration F-ALCD CAMS 53/2 Savoie of Air Orient, c/n 28.
Delivered new to Air Orient in April 1931.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Note the 'Winged seahorse' with 'A O' standing for Air Orient. See discussion tab (5).

Wibault 282T.12 & Latécoère 28.0

Inauguration of Air France at Aéroport de Paris-Le Bourget on October 7th 1930. See discussion tab (6).

On the left, registration F-AJPC Latécoère 28.0 Sirocco of Air France, c/n 927.
Delivered new to Aéropostale in 1930. Transferred to Air France after merge in October 1933. Converted to 28.1. Donated to Fuerzas Aéreas de la República Española (FARE) for use as military transport and bomber in 1936.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

To the right, Wibault 282T.12.
Unidentified Aircraft in the background.

Wibault 282T.12

Same event, but not visible in previous pictures.

Registration F-AMHM Wibault 282T.12 L'Intrépide of Air France, c/n 07.
Delivered new to Air Orient in August 1933. Transferred to Air France after merge in October 1933. Based in Dakar, Senegal in 1940, changed name as Ville de Niamey.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Potez 620

In front of Air France hangars of Aéroport de Paris-Le Bourget. See discussion tab (7).

Registration F-ANPI Potez 620 Cigogne of Air France, c/n 3890.3.
First flight in May 5th 1935 as Société des Aéroplanes Henry Potez. On lease to Air France from private owner André Grosjean in July 1935. Accident at Marseille Marignane on September 3rd 1936.

In the background left, another Wibault 280T.12 from Air France.

Wibault 282T.12

In hangars of Aéroport de Paris-Le Bourget on October 7th 1930.

Registration F-AMHN Wibault 282T.12 Le Vaillant of Air France, c/n 03.
Delivered new to Air France in September 1933. Cancelled in June 1942.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Initial logo of Air Orient with A O inside, re-used for AF with no letters. Very soon nicknamed La crevette (the shrimp) by the employees.

Potez 620 in the background outside.

Another Wibault 282T.12 in the background outside.

Breguet 19 GR Super Bidon n°3 Point d'interrogation

First flight Paris-New-York in 1930 September 1st/3rd (GMT).
Preparation for flight at Aéroport de Paris-Le Bourget.
Same aircraft seen in another movie at IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Wibault 282T.12

Registration F-AMHK Wibault 282T.12 Le Diligent of Air France, c/n 04.
Delivered new to CIDNA in May 1933. Transferred to Air France in October 1933.

The one here wears the previous livery of CIDNA.
Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

La banque Némo (1934)

Wibault 282T.12

Registration F-AMHx Wibault 282T.12 of Air France, could stand for F-AMHK, L, M, N, O, P.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Farman F.303

Registration F-ALEF Farman F.303 Myosotis of Air France, c/n 7241/1.
Delivered new to SGTA-Société Générale des Transports Aériens in November 1931. Transferred to Air France after merge in October 1933. Wfu in May 1935.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Farman F.301

F-AJLP already seen above.

Breguet 280T

Registration F-AJKV Breguet 280T of Air France, c/n 7.
Delivered new to Air Union in December 1929. Transferred to Air France after October 1933. WFU in November 1935.<br

Same aircraft in other movies at Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Air France archives

See discussion tab (8)

Unidentified Aircraft

Drawing inspired by something real or is it pure invention?

Lioré et Olivier LeO H.242 (model)

14 aircraft used by Air France on its Mediterranean network.

Dewoitine D.333

Cover of the book "Friquet Pilote de ligne" by Jaboune & Henry Kubnick. Ed. Plon 1937. See discussion tab (9)

Week-end à Alger - Film Air France (1934)

Lioré et Olivier LeO H.242

Lioré et Olivier LeO H.242 of Air France at Port d'Alger.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

See discusion tab (10)

Wibault 283T.12

One of the 10 Wibault 283T.12 of Air France.
Recognizable by its different tail from previous versions.

Writter and Pilot Saint-Exupéry in black suit.

Wibault 283T.12

Author's foreword about the film Courrier Sud based on the novel from A.de Saint-Exupéry of 1927. The air route linking Toulouse to Dakar follows the route mentioned in the film, using the new Air France aircraft. See discussion tab (11).

Registration F-AMYF Wibault 283.T12 Le Vengeur of Air France, c/n.13. Delivered new to Air France in June 1934.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Registration F-ANBN Wibault 283.T12 L'Invulnérable of Air France, c/n.17. Delivered new to Air France in November 1934.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Unidentified Aircraft

Saint-Exupéry and an unknown pilot in front of an unidentified biplane.

Courrier Sud (1936)

Latécoère 28-1

Intial story is in 1927, but the film of 1936 use aircraft of the 1930s.

Registration F-AMXV Latécoère 28-1 Brise de mer of Air France, c/n 943.
Delivered new to Air France in May 1934.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Latécoère 28-1

Landing in the left and listed right below.

To the left, registration F-AJJF Latécoère 28-1 Bourrasque of Air France, c/n 907.
Delivered new to Aéropostale in October 1929. Transferred to Air France after merge in October 1933.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Latécoère 28-1

In flight shadow on the sand.

Interior might be studio decor.

Very high sound level in the cockpit.

Air France archives

Bréguet-Latécoère 14.A2

Registration F-AEEI Breguet-Latécoère 14.A2 of Lignes Aériennes Latécoère, c/n 158.
Delivered new to Lignes Aériennes Latécoère in June 1922. Transferred to Compagnie générale d'entreprises aéronautiques (CGEA) then Aéropostale in 1927. Wfu in December 1934 as Air France since 1933.

Bréguet-Latécoère 14.A2

On approach for landing at Cap Juby stopover. See discussion tab (12).
Unreadable registration.

Potez 25.A2

Registration F-AJDY Potez 25.A2 of Aéropostale-Compagnie Générale Aéropostale, c/n 1521.
Delivered new to Aéropostale in June 1929. Sold to Argentina as LV-JFA.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Couzinet 70 Arc en ciel III

Registration F-AMBV Couzinet 70 Arc en ciel III of Aéropostale-Compagnie Générale Aéropostale, c/n 01.
Modified in 1933-34 with streched fuselage, new shape of Windows, additional "pig" fins on the tail wings, etc... becomes Couzinet 71.

Same aircraft in other movies at IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft.

Potez 25

Henri Guillaumet and one of his Potez 25 of Aéropostale-Compagnie Générale Aéropostale.

Un avion dans l'histoire - Film Air France (1937)

See discussion tab (13).

Dewoitine D.338

Registration F-AOZA Dewoitine 338 Clemence Isaure of Air France, c/n 001.
First flight on August 9th 1935 as prototype. Delivered to Air France in June 1936. Written off in April 1944, destroyed by RAF bombing.

Wibault 282T.12 of Air France in the background.

Bloch MB.220

Registration F-AOHE Bloch MB.220 Aunis of Air France, c/n 5.
Delivered new to Air France in October 1937. Re-engined with Wright Cyclone in 1946 (model name MB.221). Sold to SANA-Société Auxiliaire de Navigation Aérienne in 1948.

At Aéroport de Paris-Le Bourget.

Bloch MB.220

Registration F-AOHC Bloch MB.220 Guyenne of Air France, c/n 3.
Delivered new to Air France in August 1937. Re-engined with Wright Cyclone in 1946 (model name MB.221). Sold to SANA-Société Auxiliaire de Navigation Aérienne in 1948.

At Aéroport de Paris-Le Bourget. See discussion tab (14).

Bloch MB.220

Registration F-AOHJ Bloch MB.220 Poitou of Air France, c/n 10.
Delivered new to Air France in April 1938. Flew French Prime Minister Edouard Dalladier to Munich for the "Munich agreement" signed with Germany (Adolf Hitler) Italy (Benito Mussolini) and UK (Neville Chamberlain) on September 28th 1938. Transferred to Deutsche Luft Hansa in March 1943, registered D-AXWF. Re-registered D-AKGE based in Berlin. Used from October 1943 on Vienna-Belgrade service. Written off in August 1944 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

Seen further in this work. Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Les cinq sous de Lavarède (1938)

Inside airplane studio decor

Lavarède was hired as a radio operator, but the weather conditions are harsh... panic on board.

Wibault 282T12

Arrival at Aéroport de Marseille-Marignane. See discussion tab (15).

Registration F-AKEL Wibault 282.T12 Le Rapide of Air France, c/n 2.
Delivered to French State on July 1932 as 280T and loan to CIDNA-Compagnie Internationale De Navigation Aérienne. The plane was modified to 281T, then to 282.T12 in 1933 when registered in the new Air France fleet.

Same aircraft in other movies at Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Fokker F.VIIb/3m

Continuity error at the terminal of Marseille-Marignane, the airplane changes for a Fokker.

Registration F-ALGT Fokker F.VIIb/3m La Railleuse of Air France c/n 24.
Built under license by Avia. Delivered to CIDNA-Compagnie Internationale De Navigation Aérienne on May 1931 with c/n 18. Rebuilt with new wings in 1932 as c/n 24. Transferred to Air France in October 1933.

Same aircraft in other movies at Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Actualités Gaumont (Octobre 1938)

Bloch MB.220

Landing at Le Bourget of French Prime Minister Edouard Dalladier after meeting with Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Neville Chamberlain for the "Munich agreement" signed on September 28th 1938. See discussion tab (16).

The aircraft is F-AOHJ Bloch MB.220 Poitou of Air France c/n 10, already mentionned above.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Tourbillon de Paris (1939)

Dewoitine D.338

Ray Ventura's band arrives at Aéroport Paris-Le Bourget. See discussion tab (17).

Registration F-AQBO Dewoitine D.338 Ville d'Angers of Air France, c/n 15.
Delivered new to Air France in August 1938. Destroyed by RAF Bombing in July 1941.

Air France archives

Various Aircraft

1 - Wibault 283T12 of Air France.
2 - Caudron C.445 Goéland of Air France.
3 - Caudron C.445 Goéland of Air France.
4 - Unidentified Aircraft.
5 - Junkers Ju 52/3m probably from Deutsche Luft Hansa.

Wibault 282T12 & Wibault 283T12

From left to right, both of Air France.

Potez 621

Registration F-AOTY Potez 621 Magoary of Air France, c/n 4210.18.
First flight in 1936 as Société des Aéroplanes Henry Potez. Delivered new to Air France in June 1936.

On the right Wibault 282T.12 of Air France already seen right above.

Various Aircraft

1 - Dewoitine D.338 of Air France.
2 - Wibault 283T12 of Air France.
3 - Dewoitine D.338 of Air France.

Dewoitine D.338

2 of them at Aéroport Paris-Le Bourget. Passengers are boarding for a flight to Hong-Kong in the one foreground.

Dewoitine D.338 of Air France.

Registration F-AQBH Dewoitine D.338 Ville d'Hanoi of Air France, c/n 08.
Delivered new to Air France in March 1938, named Ville de Dijon. Renamed later as Ville d'Hanoï. Lost in Indochina in 1940.
Unidentified Biplane in the background.

Dewoitine D.338

Landing at Hong Kong Kai-Tak Airport.

Registration F-AQBF Dewoitine 338 Ville de Vientiane of Air France, c/n 06.
Delivered new to Air France in February 1938, named Ville de Strasbourg. Renamed later as Ville de Vientiane.

Ceux du ciel (1941)

With the war came the cessation of Air France's activities and its appearance in the cinema, except in some rare exceptions like in the film Ceux du ciel in which we see this view:

Potez 621

Potez 621 of Air France.

Uncredited archives

Unidentified Aircraft

Junkers Ju 87 Stuka

Junkers Ju 87 Stuka of the Luftwaffe.

Focke-Wulf Fw 190A

Focke-Wulf Fw 190A of the Luftwaffe.

Messerschmitt Bf 109G

Messerschmitt Bf 109G of the Luftwaffe.

Unidentified Aircraft

Percival Mew Gull ?

Caudron C.445 Goéland

Caudron C.445 Goéland with unidentified livery.

Caudron Simoun

Unknown version.

Unidentified Aircraft

Another Caudron Simoun ?

Unidentified Aircraft

Morane-Saulnier MS.225

Morane-Saulnier MS.225 of the (French) Patrouille d'Etampes.

Unidentified Aircraft

Casablanca (1942)

Fokker Super Universal

A scaled model is used at the landing scene, then a real one is shown, with a fake registration D-AGDF. This aircraft was never flown by German companies or air forces.

Same archive footage of this aircraft seen in another movie at IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft.

[[Image: Vlcsnap-2025-11-16-12h29m43s278.jpg|thumb|500px|none |] This scene is shot at Los Angeles Metropolitan Airport (Van Nuys Airport (VNY/KVNY) nowadays).

Brown B-3 & Lockheed Vega 5

Los Angeles Metropolitan Airport (Van Nuys Airport (VNY/KVNY) nowadays).
In the foreground is a Lockheed Vega 5 , registration NC972Y, c/n 160. This aircraft was destroyed in an hangar fire on October 1943.
Beside it, is a 2 seats training airplane Brown B-3 reg.NX266Y, and some Fokker Super Universal in the background.
NX266Y was built and sold to Dr. Ross Sutherland from Los Angeles. On October 10, 1943, the aircraft was destroyed in a hangar fire at Van Nuys Airport, then known as the Metropolitan Airport.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).

Lockheed L-12A Electra Junior

Fake registration F-AMPJ which belongs actually to a small single engine Potez 43.5. The airplane pretends being a French aircraft from Air France, but in fact it’s a Lockheed L-12 Electra Junior though Air France never operated this kind of airplane.
The genuine aircraft was registered NC17376, c/n.1220.
Impressed into USAAF service as 42-57504, the aircraft was written off at Mitchell Field on 6 October 1942.

Same aircraft in other movies at IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft.

Hudge Air France "winged sea-horse" sticker on the nose.

Participant Bernard Chabbert

Breguet 14 A2 (replica)

Bernard Chabbert in front of the Breguet 14 of the Association Breguet XIV at Aérodrome de Castelsarrasin - Moissac (LFCX).

Registration F-POST Breguet 14 A2 Spirit of Montaudran, c/n 150AB.
Built by the Association Breguet XIV, first flight on November 11th 2003. Still active in 2025 painted with Lignes Aériennes Latécoère colours. See discussion tab (18).

Unidentified gliders in the background.

Lockheed L-12A Electra Junior

In a hangar of Aérodrome d'Andernos-les-Bains (LFCD).

Registration F-AZLL Lockheed 12A Electra Junior c/n 1287 painted as Amelia Earhart's Lockheed L-10E Electra registered at the time NR16020.
Delivered new to Sky Kraft Corp., Mobile, Alabama in August 1941. Impressed in 1941 as Lockheed R3O-2 with US Navy, registered BuNo 02947. Used by the American Naval Attaché in London in 1945 with RAF registration D2947. Sold to Sir Sydney Cotton in September 1945, registered G-AGTL, named Caprice. Rebuilt in 1946 by Shorts Bros, Belfast. Sold to Robert McAlpine under McAlpine Aviation Services Ltd brand in April 1957. Sold to Jean Chapeau in December 1960, registered F-BJJY. Stored at Nice-Côte d'Azur (NCE). Sold to Paul Boucher & Phillipe Denis, Romans, France in April 1982. Bought by Jean-Luc Langeard, Caen, France in April 1999, re-registered F-AZLL. Sold to Societe Le Gros Biplan Rouge, France (Bernard Chabbert) in August 1999. Used for the shooting of movie "Amelia" in South Africa in 2008 - still on the European airshow circuit as of 2013.

Same aircraft seen in other films IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).