Fournier RF7

RF7
The RF7 prototype as G-LTRF
General information
TypeMotorglider
National origin
France
ManufacturerFournier
Designer
Number builtTwo
History
First flight5 March 1970
Developed from
Fournier RF 4

The Fournier RF7 was a single-seat motorglider designed and built in prototype form by René Fournier in France in 1970 and intended for series production by Sportavia-Pützer in Germany.

Design and development

The RF7 was a conventional motorglider design derived from Fournier's RF 4D, a low-wing cantilever monoplane with an engine mounted in tractor configuration in the nose. The sailplane-style undercarriage consisted of a retractable mainwheel, a fixed tailwheel, and small outriggers under each wing. Compared to the RF 4. the wings were shorter and the tailplane surfaces larger. The ailerons were also larger, and the RF7 was fully stressed for aerobatics.

Construction of the prototype (registered F-WPXV) began in July 1969, and the aircraft first flew on 5 March 1970. It was displayed at the Hanover Air Show the following month, where the journal Flight International praised it for the quality of its finish "[i]n spite of its prototype status." By 1971, Sportavia-Pützer abandoned its plans of series production of the type and hoped to market the RF7 in kit form instead. By 1978, all development had been abandoned and the prototype was offered for sale.

Specifications

Data from Taylor 1972, p.96

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related lists

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Taylor 1972, p.96
  2. 1 2 Taylor 1989, p.75
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Hanover Report", p.720
  4. 1 2 Interavia, p.1225
  5. ↑ "Hanover Review", p.1439

References