The Sud Aviation Caravelle was one of the first generation of jet airliners and is generally considered the first successful jet airliner. Development began in 1951 and by the time production ended in the 1970s 279 had been manufactured.

Development of the Caravelle began in response to a French government specification for a jet airliner issued in October 1951.

Two prototypes were ordered in July 1953 and the first prototype flew on 27 May 1955.

The first orders came from Air France in 1956 and SAS in 1957, with further orders following.

The Caravelle was certificated in May 1959 and entered service soon afterwards.

During production it appeared in 12 versions, the most numerous was the Caravelle III, with 78 built and a further 31 upgraded to that standard.

This model represents a Caravelle III in United Airlines service in the mid 1960s

Airfix 1/144 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in 1984.