SAN Jodel D.140 Mousquetaire
The Jodel D140 is a light aircraft from the French manufacturer SAN. As a further development of the D117 has the D140 with its interpretation as a cantilever low-wing, fabric-covered wings buckling of wood and a spur -wheel turning a typical yodeling constructions appearance. The aircraft received from the manufacturer known as the " Mousquetaire " (Eng.: Musketeer ) because they in relation to their low unladen weight quite a strong four-cylinder Lycoming engine, the types O -360 A1A, O -360 A2A or IO-360 B2F6 with 180 hp possessed.
Versions
The following versions have been built:
- D140 " Mousquetaire ": output version with a triangular fin
- D140A " Mousquetaire ": improved engine ventilation
- D140B " Mousquetaire II": improved brakes and Cowling
- D140C " Mousquetaire III ": enlarged rectangular fin
- D140E " Abeille ": again enlarged vertical fin and modified glazing with better all-round visibility
- D140R " Remorqueur ": means for glider towing and modified rear fuselage.
Construction
The Mousquetaire has a spacious passenger cabin with four or five seats and a large luggage compartment with wide door behind the passenger cabin. Both the doors to the cabin as well as to the luggage area are opened up - according to yodel tradition. The aircraft has excellent travel characteristics thanks to the 180 -horsepower engine. As 270 meters off run lifts off the machine and has already reached 15 meters altitude after about 400 meters. The luggage space is so large that after removing the rear seat and the bulkhead between the luggage compartment and passenger cabin, even a man can be transported lying down, for example, in a patient transport. The D140R can absorb as much payload as their own empty weight, which is very rare for a single engine aircraft. The two fuel tanks hold a total of 210 liters and allow a radius of about 1200 kilometers.
Use
The first approved prototype ( aircraft registered F- BIZE ) was flown by Lucien Querey on July 8, 1958. Overall, these machines were produced from 1958 to 1966 195. The French military put many of the aircraft one for training purposes and as a liaison and Ambulance. The kit also offered could be assembled in about 3500 working hours of an accredited enabled Amateurbau (so-called home- builts ). How many machines is caused not known.
The Mousquetaire was used by the French Army as an air tractor for destinations or flying clubs as a tow plane for gliders. The end of 1964 demanded a colonel of the French troops, to construct him a flying machine that is better adapted for this particular use of the towing. So, in 1965, the variant D 140 " Abeille " (the " bee "). The D 140 " Abeille " is characterized by a lower weight, a flatter passenger cab with improved visibility and the elimination of extensive luggage space. The " Abeille ", which was produced in only 22 copies, is often flown in the mountains, thanks to their good clarity and very good climb rate. Optional was the D140 also be fitted on the main landing gear with skids for snowy start and runways.