SUD-AVIATION CARAVELLE: THE FORGOTTEN JET AIRLINER

The Sud-Aviation SE 210 Caravelle was a technological marvel and helped usher in the jet age for a number of airlines across the globe, including state-owned carrier Indian Airlines

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PERHAPS HARDLY ANYONE TODAY CAN REMEMBER THE SUD-Aviation SE 210 Caravelle. Once called “unbearably beautiful”, the Caravelle was the world’s first short/medium-range jet airliner, forerunner of today’s regional jets. Although the final Caravelle flight was nearly twenty years ago the plane does not deserve to be forgotten so easily. It was a technological marvel and helped usher in the jet age for a number of airlines across the globe, including Indian Airlines. The name Caravelle dates back to the 15th century when the caravel ships of Christopher Columbus, by virtue of their speed and ruggedness, opened the world to Europe’s intrepid explorers.