# CAMS 37

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{{Short description|Flying boat built in France}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
 |name=CAMS 37
 |image=CAMS 37A L'Aérophile November,1926.jpg
 |type=Reconnaissance flying boat
 |manufacturer=[CAMS](/source/Chantiers_A%C3%A9ro-Maritimes_de_la_Seine)
 |designer=Maurice Hurel
 |first_flight=1926
 |introduction=1927
 |retired=1942
 |status=
 |primary_user=[French Navy](/source/French_Navy)
 |more_users=
 |produced=
 |number_built=332
}}

The '''CAMS 37''' was a French 1920s biplane [flying boat](/source/flying_boat) designed for military reconnaissance, but which found use in a wide variety of roles.

==Development==
It was the first design for [Chantiers Aéro-Maritimes de la Seine](/source/Chantiers_A%C3%A9ro-Maritimes_de_la_Seine) (CAMS) by their new head designer, Maurice Hurel.  The [prototype](/source/prototype) was displayed at the 1926 [''Salon de l'Aéronautique''](/source/Paris_Air_Show) in Paris and first flew the same year. After testing was ordered into service before the end of the year.<ref name="green v5">{{cite book |last= Green |first=William |title=Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Five, Flying Boats  |year= 1968|publisher= Macdonald|location=London|pages= 15–17 |isbn=978-0-356-01449-4 }}</ref>  It was a conventional [biplane](/source/biplane) flying boat very similar to previous CAMS designs, being driven by a [pusher propeller](/source/Pusher_configuration) whose [engine](/source/Piston_engine) was mounted on struts in the interplane gap.  The first production version was the amphibious '''CAMS 37A''' that was bought by the [French Navy](/source/French_Navy), the [Portuguese Navy](/source/Portuguese_Naval_Aviation) and the aeroclub of [Martinique](/source/Martinique).

thumb|left|Flown cover carried on the first US to Europe "catapult" air mail from the ''Ile de France'' at sea to Paris, August 23, 1928
==Operational history==
The aircraft operated from every French Naval Air Station and from many capital ships. 

Trials were conducted by ''[Compagnie Générale Transatlantique](/source/Compagnie_G%C3%A9n%C3%A9rale_Transatlantique)'' on the [SS ''Île de France''](/source/SS_%C3%8Ele_de_France) to evaluate operating [catapult-launched](/source/Aircraft_catapult) mailplanes from [transatlantic](/source/Transatlantic_crossing) [liners](/source/Ocean_liner) with two specially-built '''37/10'''s. 

[René Guilbaud](/source/Ren%C3%A9_Guilbaud) made a long-distance flight over [Africa](/source/Africa) and the [Mediterranean](/source/Mediterranean_Sea) between 12 October 1927 and 9 March 1927, venturing as far as [Madagascar](/source/Madagascar) before returning to [Marseille](/source/Marseille).  In the course of the flight, he covered {{cvt|22600|km}} in 38 stages without incident.

The  CAMS 37 was gradually withdrawn from front line duties in the mid-to-late 1930s, and when [World War II](/source/World_War_II) started in September 1939, the aircraft had been relegated to training and communication roles. On mobilisation, however, CAMS 37/11 [trainers](/source/Trainer_(aircraft)) were used by two units for coastal patrol, with one unit, ''Escadrille'' 2S2 continuing in service until August 1940.<ref name="green v5"/>  Outside mainland France, CAMS 37/11 trainers continued in use with a [Free French](/source/Free_French_Forces) unit in [Tahiti](/source/Tahiti) until 15 January 1941, and with a [Vichy France](/source/Vichy_France) unit in [Indochina](/source/Indochina) until 1942 <ref name="green v5"/>

==Variants==
thumb|CAMS 37 photo from Annuaire de L'Aéronautique 1931

;37:Flying boat prototype, (one built).<ref name="afcams37">{{cite web|last1=Parmentier|first1=Bruno |title=C.A.M.S. 37 |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=7964&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=284&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |accessdate=24 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=French}}</ref>

;37A:amphibious version (185 built).<ref name=JAWA1928>{{cite book |title=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928 |editor1-last=Grey |editor1-first=C.G. |year=1928 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd |location=London |pages=92c–93c}}</ref><ref name="afcams37A"/>

;37/2:pure flying boat version incorporating refinements from '''37A''' amphibian (45 built).<ref name="afcams37/2">{{cite web|last1=Parmentier|first1=Bruno|title=C.A.M.S. 37/2 |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=7975&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=284&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |accessdate=24 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=French}}</ref>

;37 A/3:reinforced hull (two built).<ref name="afcams37 A/3">{{cite web|last1=Parmentier|first1=Bruno |title=C.A.M.S. 37 A/3 
|url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=7976&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=284&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |accessdate=24 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=French}}</ref>

;37 A/6:enclosed cabin admiral's barge for [Aéronavale](/source/A%C3%A9ronavale) (three built).<ref name="afcams37 A/6 LIA">{{cite web|last1=Parmentier|first1=Bruno|title=C.A.M.S. 37 A/6 LIA|url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=7977&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=284&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF=|website=Aviafrance|accessdate=24 February 2018|location=Paris|language=French}}</ref>

;37A/7:(or '''37Lia''') liaison amphibian (36 built).

;37A/9:metal-hulled officer transport for French Navy (4 built).<ref name="afcams37 A-9">{{cite web|last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=C.A.M.S. 37 A-9 |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=7978&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=284&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance|accessdate=24 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=French}}</ref>

;37/10:version for catapult trials (two built).<ref name="afcams37/10">{{cite web |last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=C.A.M.S. 37/10 |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=7979&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=284&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |accessdate=24 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=French}}</ref>

;37/11:Four-seat liaison / trainer wooden-hulled version (110 built).<ref name="afcams37/11">{{cite web |last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=C.A.M.S. 37/11 |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=5647&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=284&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |accessdate=24 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=French}}</ref>

;37/12:civil version with enclosed four-seat cabin (one built).<ref name="afcams37/12">{{cite web |last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=C.A.M.S. 37/12 |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=7980&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=284&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |accessdate=24 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=French}}</ref>

;37/13:(or '''37bis''') metal-hulled version for catapult launching from ships.<ref name="afcams37/13">{{cite web |last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=C.A.M.S. 37/13 |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=7981&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=284&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |accessdate=24 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=French}}</ref>

;37GRthumb|CAMS 37GR photo from L'Aérophile December,1926:(GR – Grand Raids) A single long-range aircraft converted for the 37C prototype, flown by Lieutenant de Vaisseau Guilbaud, from l'[Etang de Berre](/source/Etang_de_Berre), in the company of [Lioré-Olivier LeO H-194](/source/Lior%C3%A9-Olivier_LeO_H-194) on 12 October 1926, for a proving flight to [Madagascar](/source/Madagascar). On 3 January 1927 the engine threw a connecting rod, causing Guilbaud to abandon the Madagascar flight and return to [Marseille](/source/Marseille) on 9 March 1927, via [Sudan](/source/Sudan), [Egypt](/source/Egypt), [Lebanon](/source/Lebanon), [Turkey](/source/Turkey), [Greece](/source/Greece), [Malta](/source/Malta) and [Tunisia](/source/Tunisia).<ref name="afcams37 GR">{{cite web |last1=Parmentier |first1=Bruno |title=C.A.M.S. 37 GR |url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=7966&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=284&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= |website=Aviafrance |accessdate=24 February 2018 |location=Paris |language=French}}</ref>

;37LIA:(aka 37 A/7) :''see above''
;37C:A single commercial transport prototype, converted to the sole 37GR
;37E:(E – ecole) Aéronavale designation for CAMS 37/11
;37bis:(aka 37/13) :''see above''

==Operators==
;{{flagcountry|French Third Republic}}
*[Aviation Navale](/source/Aviation_Navale)
*[French Air Force](/source/French_Air_Force)

;{{Flag|Vichy France}}
* [Vichy French Air Force](/source/Vichy_French_Air_Force)

;{{POR}}
*[Portuguese Naval Aviation](/source/Portuguese_Naval_Aviation)

==Specifications (37/2) ==
thumb|CAMS 37A 3-view drawing from L'Air October 1,1927
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928,<ref name=JAWA1928/> Aviafrance, CAMS 37A<ref name="afcams37A">{{cite web|last1=Parmentier|first1=Bruno|title=C.A.M.S. 37A|url=https://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=7965&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=284&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF=|website=Aviafrance|accessdate=24 February 2018|location=Paris|language=French}}</ref>
|prime units?=met
|crew=Three
|length m=11.432
|span m=14.5
|height m=4.04
|wing area sqm=58
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=1950
|gross weight kg=2850
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
<!-- Powerplant -->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[Lorraine 12Ed Courlis](/source/Lorraine_12Ed_Courlis)
|eng1 type=W-12 water-cooled piston engine
|eng1 hp=450

|prop blade number=2
|prop name=fixed pitch propeller
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
<!-- Performance -->
|max speed kmh=175
|max speed note=<br>
*'''Minimum speed:''' {{cvt|90|km/h|mph kn}} (Note: this is NOT minimum control speed which is only for aircraft with multiple engines)
|cruise speed kmh=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|range km=1200
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=4500
|climb rate ms=
|time to altitude={{cvt|3000|m}} in 35 minutes
|wing loading kg/m2=49
|power/mass={{cvt|0.0719|hp/lb|kW/kg|order=flip}}
<!-- Armament -->
|armament=*4 × trainable {{cvt|7.7|mm|3}} [Lewis gun](/source/Lewis_gun)s, 2 in bow and 2 behind prop
*{{cvt|300|kg}} of bombs carried under lower wing
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
<!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. -->
|related=<!-- related developments -->
|similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft -->
* [CANT 21](/source/CANT_21)
* [Lioré et Olivier LeO H-190](/source/Lior%C3%A9_et_Olivier_LeO_H-190)

|lists=
* [List of aircraft of World War II](/source/List_of_aircraft_of_World_War_II)
* [List of Interwar military aircraft](/source/List_of_Interwar_military_aircraft)
|see also=<!-- other relevant information -->
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last1=Bousquet |first1=Gérard |title=French Flying Boats of WW II |date=2013 |publisher=Stratus |location=Sandomierz, Poland |isbn=978-83-63678-06-7}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Cortet|first1=Pierre|title=Des C.A.M.S. à coque "metal" |journal=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=March 1999 |issue=72 |pages=37–39 |trans-title=C.A.M.S. Introduces a Metal Hull |language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Cortet|first1=Pierre|title=Courrier des Lecteurs|journal=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=December 1999 |issue=81 |page=4 |trans-title= Readers' Letters |language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Esperou|first1=Robert|title=Les vols d'essais commerciaux français sur l'Atlantique Nord, de 1928 à 1939|journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation |date=April 1994 |issue=293 |pages=40–50 |issn=0757-4169 |language=fr|trans-title=French commercial test flights over the North Atlantic, 1928 to 1939}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Morareau|first1=Lucien|title=Courrier des Lecteurs|journal=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=June 1998 |issue=63 |pages=2–3 |trans-title= Readers' Letters |language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Morareau|first1=Lucien|title=Courrier des Lecteurs|journal=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=April 1999 |issue=73 |pages=2–3 |trans-title= Readers' Letters |language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Morareau|first1=Lucien|title=L'escadrille du bout du monde |journal=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=December 1998 |issue=69 |pages=42–51 |trans-title= Squadron at the End of the World |language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Morareau|first1=Lucien|title=Des CAMS sur le Pacifique: L'escadrille du bout du monde (fin)|journal=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=January 1999 |issue=70 |pages=45–53 |trans-title=The CAMS over the Pacific: Squadron at the End of the World |language=French |issn=1243-8650}}

==Further reading==
{{commons category}}
* {{cite book |last= Taylor |first= Michael J. H. |title=Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation |year=1989 |publisher=Studio Editions |location=London |pages=226 }}
* {{cite book |title=World Aircraft Information Files |publisher=Bright Star Publishing|location=London |pages=File 891 Sheet 02 }}

{{CAMS aircraft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cams 37}}
Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft
Category:Biplanes
Category:1920s French military reconnaissance aircraft
Category:Flying boats
37
Category:Aircraft first flown in 1926

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [CAMS 37](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAMS_37) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAMS_37?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.