F-BICV was the last HD-34 built, making its first flight on 13 Mar 1959. It was officially accepted by Institut Géographique National on 24 Apr 1959 and registered to them as F-BICV on 9 Jun 1959. The aircraft served with IGN until 1987, when it made its last flight to Creil on delivery to the Aéroclub de Creil-Chantilly-Senlis for static display. The registration was subsequently cancelled from the register on 8 Oct 1987. The type's unusually large wing span is apparent in this photo.

Nice early evening light on this HD-34, the last one built. It was officially accepted by Institut Géographique National on 24 Apr 1959 and registered to them as F-BICV on 9 Jun 1959. The aircraft served with IGN until 1987, when it made its last flight to Creil on delivery to the Aéroclub de Creil-Chantilly-Senlis for static display. The registration was subsequently cancelled from the register on 8 Oct 1987.

EC2/10 'Seine' aircraft

This was ex-USAF 51-17544

Photographer unknown.

Photographer: Clive Moggridge

On display at the aeroclub.

The HD-34 was derived from earlier experimental versions as an aerial mapping platform, flying in 2.57. Air France even considered ordering 24 as feederliners. A high aspect-ratio wing gave long endurance and good stability for photo-mapping, the type remaining in service with the IGN till 1985. Of the eight built, three survive including this one preserved at Creil by the local aeroclub. Another is stored by the Musée de l'Air and the third is still potentially flyable with a historic organisation out of Melun-Villaroche

Ex USAAF 42-32076, SE-BAP, OY-DFA, Denmark 67-672. Modified for survey work for the Institut Geographique National at their Creil base. Now exhibited at the USAF Museum at Dayton OH in original USAAF markings.

Institut Geographique National's HD-34 at its operating base showing the very high aspect ratio wing of this unusual type.

What is this - an early Antonov transport of extra grumpy appearance? No, the HD-31 was a 1950s French airliner design, produced only as a cartographic aircraft. Its very high aspect ratio wing is not apparent in this view. There's a hare on the left.