Fournier RF-4

RF-4
RF-4D
Role motor glider
National origin France
Manufacturer Alpavia / Sportavia-Pützer
Introduction 1966
Number built 159[1]
Developed from Fournier RF-3

The Fournier RF-4 is a single-seater motor glider designed by René Fournier in 1966. It is an aerobatic version of the Fournier RF-3.[1][2]

Design and development

Conceived as a motor glider and sport touring aircraft, the RF-4 was introduced in 1966. It is of all-wood construction and is fully aerobatic. The landing gear consists of a monowheel gear which retracts forward into a fibreglass cowling. The main wheel has a brake which is manually operated. There is a small steerable tailwheel and wing-mounted outrigger wheels.[3]

Operational history

An RF-4D was flown by Mira Slovak across the Atlantic Ocean while participating in the May 1969 Daily Mail Air Race. The flight won a £1,000 prize offered by the London Evening News for the best performance in the race by an aircraft under 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) gross take-off weight.[3] The main landing gear fork is an ongoing maintenance issue, with regular replacements needed.[4]

Variants

RF-4
Prototype aerobatic variant of the RF-3, three-built by Alpavia
RF-4D
Production variant, 155 built in Germany by Sportavia-Putzer, D was for Deutschland. 16 shipped to America[5]

Specifications (RF-4D)

Sportavia Fournier RF-4D

Data from In the Air:Number 230:Fournier RF-4D and Plane and Pilot[3][6]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fournier RF-4.
  1. 1 2 pilotfriend.com: Fournier aircraft history, performance and specifications - accessed 13 March 2008
  2. Sailplane Directory: Fournier RF 5 - accessed 13 March 2008
  3. 1 2 3 Plane and Pilot: 1978 Aircraft Directory, page 73. Werner & Werner Corp, Santa Monica CA, 1977. ISBN 0-918312-00-0
  4. Jack Lambie (October 1979). "Cross Country in a Fournier Motor Glider". Air Progress: 50.
  5. Dann PArks (July 2014). "Switching to Glide". Sport Aviation: 96.
  6. Harrison 1968, pp. 669–670.
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