Editing Sud Aviation Caravelle (section)

===Selection===
[[File:Air Toulouse (F-BMKS), Dublin, February 1993 (02).jpg|thumb|upright|The unusual cockpit window arrangement of the Caravelle, licensed from the [[de Havilland Comet]]]]
[[File:Caravelle cockpit.JPG|thumb|Cockpit]]

Two months later, SNCASE received official notification that its design had been accepted. On 6 July 1953, the SGACC placed a formal order for the construction of a pair of prototypes along with a pair of static airframes for [[Fatigue limit|fatigue testing]]. SNCASE's design licensed several fuselage features from British aircraft company [[de Havilland]], the two companies already having had dealings in respect to several earlier designs. The nose area and cockpit layout were taken directly from the [[de Havilland Comet]] jet airliner, while the rest of the airliner was locally designed.<ref name="López1"/> A distinctive design feature was the cabin windows in the shape of a [[Reuleaux triangle|curved triangle]], which were smaller than conventional windows but gave the same field of view downwards.

On 21 April 1955, the first prototype of the Caravelle (F-WHHH), launched by [[Yvonne de Gaulle|Madame de Gaulle]], was rolled out. On 27 May 1955, the first prototype conducted its [[maiden flight]], powered by a pair of British [[Rolls-Royce Avon|Rolls-Royce RA-26 Avon Mk.522]], capable of providing {{convert|4536|kgf|lk=on|abbr=on}} of unitary thrust. For the maiden flight, which had a total duration of 41 minutes, the crew consisted of Pierre Nadot (Captain), André Moynot (First Officer), Jean Avril (mechanic), André Préneron (radio operator) and [[Roger Beteille]].<ref name="López1"/>

Almost one year later, on 6 May 1956, the second prototype made its first flight. The first prototype had been fitted with a cargo door located on the lower left side of the fuselage, but this door was removed in the second prototype in favour of an all-seating arrangement.<ref name="López1"/> By October 1956, both prototypes had accumulated in excess of 1,000 flight hours.<ref name = "doug 456"/> By the end of 1956, the two aircraft had visited various locations across [[Europe]] and [[North Africa]]; and trials were already underway for French carrier [[Air France]]. During 1957, the second prototype accumulated roughly 2,500 flight hours across various flights conducted throughout North America and [[South America]].<ref name = "doug 456"/>

In 1956, the type received its first order from Air France; it was followed by [[Scandinavian Airlines System]] (SAS) in 1957. More orders followed, which had been partially driven by a campaign of direct presentations held at airshows and dedicated flight demonstrations using the two prototypes to potential customers.<ref name = "doug 456"/> Also during 1956, SNCASE (Sud-Est – Southeast) had merged with SNCASO (Sud-Ouest – Southwest) and several other French aircraft manufacturers to become Sud Aviation; however, the original SE designation assigned to the airliner was retained.<ref name = "doug 456"/> In May 1959, the Caravelle received its airworthiness certification, enabling the type to enter passenger service. On 26 April 1959, the Caravelle performed its first flight with paying passengers on board for Scandinavian operator SAS;<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.posterteam.com |title=SAS Sud Aviation Caravelle |url=https://www.posterteam.com/content/2812/SAS-Sud-Aviation-Caravelle |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=posterteam.com |language=no}}</ref> shortly thereafter, the type commenced operations with Air France as well.<ref name="López1"/>