Engineering:Paumier MP2 Baladin

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The Paumier MP2 Baladin is a French-built light sporting aircraft of the 1960s.

Paumier MP2 Baladin
Paumier MP.2 Baladin F-PPPC GUY 04.06.71 edited-3.jpg
The second MP2 at its Guyancourt, base near Paris, in June 1971.
Role single-engine amateur-built aircraft
National origin France
Manufacturer Maurice Paumier
Designer Maurice Paumier
First flight early 1961
Introduction 1961
Status an example is currently operational in 2009
Primary user private owner
Number built 2

Design and construction

The MP2 Baladin was designed and constructed by Maurice Paumier. The two-seat side-by-side design was advanced for its day amongst amateur constructors, as it featured such refinements as a variable-pitch airscrew, landing flaps and a retractable tricycle undercarriage.

The aircraft possessed an exceptionally clean finish, being of wooden construction with plywood- and fabric-covered wings and a plywood-covered fuselage. These features enabled the Baladin to attain a maximum speed of 158 mph on a 90 h.p. engine. A one-piece all-moving tailplane is employed, and a feature of the design is the large wingtip endplate which slides rearward for access to the fuel filler pipe.[1]

Operational history

The prototype MP2 Baladin F-PJKV has had a series of private owners since its first flight in early 1961. It is currently (early 2009) operational from its base at Beauvais-Tille airport near Paris. A second example F-PPPC was built and initially based at Guyancourt aerodrome near Paris.

Specifications

(per Green, 1965, p. 59)

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 1 passenger
  • Length: 5.95 m (19 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 7.60 m (24 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 9.80 m2 (105.5 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 375 kg (827 lb)
  • Gross weight: 615 kg (1,356 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental C90 four cylinder air-cooled , 67 kW (90 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 255 km/h (158 mph, 137 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 228 km/h (142 mph, 123 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 4.8 m/s (945 ft/min)

References

Notes
  1. Green, 1965, p. 59
  • Green, William (1965). The Aircraft of the World. Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd.