TURBULENT

FRENCH SPORTS AIRCRAFT

Amateur aircraft construction is not only not declining in the world, bound by strict regulations, but on the contrary, it can be said that it is taking on the form of a kit factory. And by the fact that it is possible to buy kits, the choice of quality building material is also guaranteed and the building aviation regulations are actually met. At the same time, the amateur is still left with the option of "creating constructionally" on various shaped parts.

Frenchman Roger Druine was one of those fortunately imaginative amateur designers when he created a very simple lightweight single-seater aircraft in the 1950s, which he called the Turbulent. For propulsion, he used an engine with only 25 horsepower. The aircraft was soon certified and a winning campaign among aviation amateurs began. Later, although the designer created a similar type with two seats side by side, called the Turbi, it did not achieve such popularity.

The Turbulent was later processed into a kit and adapted for a modified 4-cylinder Volkswagen engine with an output of up to 45 hp. Currently, both drawing sets and complete kits with instructions and modified Volkswagen engines are offered in France, so according to the offer it is possible to build the Turbulent in 7 days. As the first kit plane, the Turbulent penetrated into England as well. Drawings or kits for it are supplied by Rollason Aircraft, in Spain by Stark Iberica. In addition, the French company Merville adapted the aircraft to a three-wheel landing gear and offers them as type D 63. According to incomplete data, more than 200 Turbulents are currently flying, which are often "improved" in shape by their creators.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
The Turbulent is a single-seat self-supporting low-wing aircraft of mixed construction with a fixed two-wheel landing gear.
The wing has a main, auxiliary, as well as a short diagonal spar. The leading part and the part from the hull to the first rib are covered with plywood, the rest with canvas. Also, the aileron has the leading part covered with plywood, the rest with canvas. A special feature is the slot (in the leading edge against the aileron), which is used to improve the falling characteristics of the aircraft. The airfoil used is NACA 23012.

The hull of simple shapes is assembled from stringers and bulkheads. It is covered with plywood outside the rear upper round part which is covered with canvas. The open cockpit is equipped with only a transparent wind shield (but there are also Turbulents with a cabin). The dashboard is equipped with only the most necessary devices.

The tail surfaces are similar in construction to the wing. The keel and stabilizing surface are covered with plywood, only the leading part of the rudders is made of plywood, the rest is covered with canvas. The profile of the tail surfaces is symmetrical.

The landing gear consists of a two-wheel undercarriage and a sheet-like flexible spur equipped with a sliding shoe. The 14x3 undercarriage wheels are mounted on a V-shaped swingarm, suspended from the fuselage and sprung by a telescopic damper that is attached to the wing.

Engine group. A modified 28-45 к 4-cylinder air-cooled engine (mostly a modified Volkswagen car engine) drives a solid wooden propeller. The engine cylinders are exposed and protrude from the hood. Fuel in the amount of 39 1 is carried in one hull tank.

The coloring is not typified, therefore we only list Roger Druin's aircraft with the registration mark F-PFRD as an addition. This entire aircraft is bright red with white registration marks on the fuselage and wing and lettering on the rudder.

Technical data and performances:
Wingspan 6.55m,
Length 5.30m;
Wing area 7.50 m²;
Weights - empty 160 to 180 (depending on design), flying about 280 kg; surface load about 39 kg/m².

Speeds - maximum 145 km/h (with engine by 28 hp) to 176 km/h (with engine by 45 hp), cruising 120 - 140, landing 45 km/h. Ascent 125-127 m/min, reach (with 45 hp engine) 2750 m, range 400-500 km.

Dornier Do-27