Fournier RF 4
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Germany |
| Products | Fournier RF 4D motor glider |
The Fournier RF 4 is a single-seat motor glider created by René Fournier in 1966, developed as an aerobatic adaptation of the Fournier RF 3.
Design and development
Released in 1966, the RF 4 serves as both a motor glider and a sport touring aircraft. Constructed entirely from wood, it is capable of full aerobatic maneuvers. Its undercarriage consists of a retractable monowheel that folds forward into a fibreglass fairing and includes a manually controlled brake. Stability on the ground is aided by a small steerable tailwheel and outrigger wheels mounted on the wings.
Operational history
In May 1969, an RF 4D flown by Mira Slovak successfully completed an Atlantic crossing during the Daily Mail Trans-Atlantic Air Race, securing a £1,000 award for the best performance among aircraft under the gross take-off weight limit. The primary landing gear fork demands frequent upkeep due to wear issues.
Variants
- RF 4
- Initial aerobatic prototype derived from the RF 3; three units produced by Alpavia.
- RF 4D
- Main production model; 155 units manufactured in Germany by Sportavia-Pützer (the "D" denotes Deutschland), with 16 exported to the United States.
See also
References
- Harrison, Neil. "In the Air:Number 230:Fournier RF 4D". Flight International, 2 May 1968. pp. 669–670.