Potez (pronounced ) was a French aircraft manufacturer founded as Aéroplanes Henry Potez by Henry Potez at Aubervilliers in 1919. The firm began by refurbishing war-surplus SEA IV aircraft, but was soon building new examples of an improved version, the Potez SEA VII.
History
During the inter-war years, Potez built a range of small passenger aircraft and a series of military reconnaissance biplanes that were also licence-built in Poland. In 1933, the firm bought flying boat manufacturer CAMS.
The company was nationalized in 1936, following which it was merged with Chantiers aéronavals Étienne Romano, Lioré et Olivier, CAMS and SPCA in order to form the Société nationale des constructions aéronautiques du Sud-Est (SNCASE) on 1 February 1937.
Potez's factories in Sartrouville and Méaulte were taken over by SNCAN and the Berre factory went to SNCASE.
After World War II, Potez was re-established as Société des Avions et Moteurs Henry Potez at Argenteuil but did not return to the prominence that the company enjoyed prior to nationalisation. In 1958, the company bought Fouga to form Potez Air-Fouga, but when Potez's last design, the 840 (a small turboprop airliner) failed to attract customers, it was forced to close. The remaining assets were purchased by Sud-Aviation in 1967.
Aircraft
Potez VII
Potez VIII
Potez IX
Potez X
Potez XI
Potez XV
Potez XVII
Potez 23
Potez 25
Potez 27
Potez 28
Potez 29
Potez 31
Potez 32
Potez 33
Potez 36
Potez 37
Potez 38
Potez 39
Potez 42
Potez 43
Potez 50
Potez 53
Potez 54
Potez 56
Potez 58
Potez 60
Potez 62
Potez 63
Potez 65
Potez 75
Potez 91
Potez 220
Potez 230
Potez 452
Potez 540
Potez 630
Potez 650
Potez 661
Potez 662
Potez 840
Potez-CAMS 140 project only
Potez-CAMS 141
Potez-CAMS 142 project only
Potez-CAMS 160
Potez-CAMS 161
Potez SEA VII
Engines
Potez A-4 (1920s) Potez 4D Potez 4E Potez 6D Potez 8D Potez 12D Potez 9A Potez 9B (9 cylinder radial)