Probably the most well-worn of all aviation cliché’s is the one which declares that, if an aircraft looks right, then it is right. This sentiment has unfortunately not always been borne out in practice, but there will be few-and not one of them a Frenchman-who will deny that it applies well and truly to the Sud-Aviation Caravelle, one of the most aesthetically appealing aircraft ever to leave a drawing board. Moreover, this aircraft looks are matched by an equally happy choice of name, for the Caravells of the 15th and 16th centuries were among tile most attractive and successful merchant vessels of their time.

Courtesy of Nils Alegren