Max Plan PF.204 Busard explained

The Max Plan PF.204 Busard was a French-built light sporting monoplane of the early 1950s. Following some modifications it was redesignated as PF.214; a planned derivative, the PF.215, was never made. The plane led to the subsequent construction of the Lefebvre Busard, a single-seat racing aircraft built marketed for homebuilding.

Development

The PF.204 Busard was designed and built by Monsieur Max Plan for personal use as a racing and sporting monoplane. The PF.204 was of all-wood construction with plywood skin. The aircraft was fitted with a fixed cantilever undercarriage enclosed by light alloy fairings.[1]

Operational history

Only one example of the Busard was completed in 1952. By 1956 it had received several modifications, the most noticeable being a revised engine cowling and enlarged cockpit; at this point it was redesignated the PF. 214.[2] At that time there were plans to replace the Minié with a 90 hp (67 kW) Continental C90 4-cylinder horizontally opposed engine, producing the PF.215.

After some years of active flying, it was placed in storage at Mitry-Mory airfield on the northeast outskirts of Paris by May 1957. It no longer appeared on the French civil aircraft register by 1964.[3] By 2006 the aircraft was in storage at the Musée Regional de l'Air,[4] Angers - Loire Airport, France.[5]

Variants

Max Plan PF.204 Busard
  • The original racer, designed and built by Max Plan, powered by a 75hp Minié 4.DC.32 h4-cyl. horizontally opposed piston engine.
    Max Plan PF.214 Busard
  • The sole MP.204 re-designated after modifications to the engine cowling and an enlarged cockpit.
    Max Plan PF.215 Busard
  • A planned derivative to have been powered by a 90hp Continental C90 4-cyl. horizontally opposed piston engine.

    References

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Green, 1956
    2. Bridgman 1956 p.145
    3. Butler 1964 p.113
    4. http://www.aviationmuseum.eu/World/Europe/France/Angers/musee_regional_air_gppa.htm Angers Museum collection
    5. Ogden 2006, p. 135