Looking apparently for a niche in the market for economical and affordable
single seaters, Mr. Pierre Maubossin designed a plane that was built by Louis
Peyret (of Peyret Tandem fame)
http://www.arcair.com/Gal8/7101-7200/gal7193-Peyret-Stern/00.shtm
The
Peyret-Mauboussin PM.X all-wood, ABC Scorpion-powered cute machine was ready in
1929 and had a wingspan of 10 meters. A floatplane version, the PMH.X bis (H for
Hydro) was later developed.
A two-seat,
beefed-up, slightly bigger machine -the Peyret-Mauboussin PM XI- made a
remarkable flight from
Paris
to
Madagascar
!
Click on
images below to see larger images
The
cantilever long aspect ratio flying surfaces and the short tail moment
made the plane look definitely elegant, with slightly awkward although
ultimately charming proportions.
The main
components were basically built over a rainy weekend, quite small in 1/72
and simple enough to make the building process run smooth.
Photos as
customary intend to depict the methods and materials used. And don’t
worry, I’ll be working on a scaled pond so I don’t have to put the
hydroplanes on the grass anymore.
The
all-wood construction of the original and the absence of markings (using as
reference one photo that so portrayed the plane) accounted for a relatively easy
finishing. For that wood finish color information I am in debt with master
scratchbuilder and famous Canadian Cycling Gremlin Alain Bourret.
Mr.
Mauboussin went one to produce a notable family of designs, but that’s another
story.
Au revoir, mes
amis!
Gabriel Stern
Click on
images below to see larger images
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