Photograph:
Jodel D-9 VH-AJT (c/n V17) at Point Cook, VIC in 1974 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
France
Description:
Single-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 30 kw (40 hp) Volkswagen conversion four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.44 m (27 ft 7 m)
- Length: 6.24 m (20 ft 4 in)
- Height: 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
- Never exceed speed: 305 km/h (190 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 270 km/h (168 mph)
- Stalling speed: 55 km/h (34 mph)
- Ceiling: 4,267 m (14,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 366 m/min (1,200 ft/min)
- Fuel capacity [standard]: 90 litres (20 Imp gals)
- Fuel capacity [optional]: 120 litres (26 Imp gals)
- Max range: 2,400 km (1,491 miles)
- G-limits: +15G/-6 G
- Empty weight: 270 kg (590 lb)
- Loaded weight: 475 kg (992 lb)
History:
The Societe des Avions Jodel, formed in 1946, designed and built the single-seat Model D-9 Bebe light monoplane as a cheap, easy-to-build-and-fly aircraft for amateur constructors. The prototype made its first flight in January 1948 and, since then, plans have been sold throughout the world, and large numbers have been built. A variety of engines ranging from 19 kw (25 hp) to 48 kw (65 hp) have been fitted, but the majority of those built in this region have been fitted with the modified 1200 cc Volkswagen motor-car engine.
Construction was simple and rugged. The materials were spruce and plywood with fabric covering. The one-piece wing had a simple box-spar, with the outer panels being set at a large dihedral angle to give good stability. Another advantage of the polyhedral wing layout was that the loads at the spar splices were lighter than at the wing root, thus enabling simple splices to be used. The fuselage was built up conventionally with four 1.59 cm (⅝ in) square longerons and struts, and covered with plywood. The undercarriage consisted of two legs attached to the spar, and used rubber in compression for springing.
The D-9 has been popular in this region over the years and quite a number have been completed both in Australia and New Zealand.