The Loire-Nieuport LN.411 was a dive bomber designed during the 1930s for French service. In combat it was rapidly found to be highly vulnerable and suffered severe losses so they were soon withdrawn from combat service.

During the 1930s most of the world’s leading aviation nations became interested in the idea of dive bombing.

In combat it turned out dive bombing did not live up to its promise and dive bombers were particularly vulnerable to enemy fighters.

Development of the Loire-Nieuport began in 1932 and by 1936 the design had evolved into the LN.40 which first flew in June 1938.

Two similar versions were ordered, the LN.401 for the French air force and LN.411 for the French navy and began entering service in late 1939.

When the German invasion began in May 1940 the French quickly learned how vulnerable they were (10 out of 20 were shot down during one attack) and they quickly disappeared from service.

This model represents a LN.411 circa 1940.

Azur 1/72 kit. Completed in April 2001.