Photograph:
Drune D-31 Turbulent VH-PWH (c/n N8) at Mangalore, VIC in April 1982 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
France
Description:
Single-seat light monoplane
Power Plant:
One 34 kw (45 hp) Rollason Ardem 4C02 Mk IV four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine; or
one 41 kw (55 hp) Ardem Mk V four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 6.58 m (21 ft 7 in)
- Length: 5.33 m (17 ft 6 in)
- Height: 1.52 m (5 ft)
- Wing area: 7.2 m² (77.5 sq ft)
- Max speed: 176 km/h (109 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 161 km/h (100 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 137 m/min (450 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 2,740 m (9,000 ft)
- Range: 400 km (250 miles)
- Empty weight: 179 kg (395 lb)
- Loaded weight: 281 kg (620 lb)
History:
The Druine D-31 Turbulent was designed in France by the late Roger Druine as a single-seat, low-wing monoplane which would be simple to construct by an amateur. Roger Druine was well-known for designing light aircraft in France, having designed and built his first aircraft in 1938. Eventually the Turbulent appeared after World War II, plans were marketed for the design and many were built throughout the world.
The Turbulent was one of the first light aircraft approved by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) in Australia for construction by amateur builders, and a number have been completed over the years. About ten examples have been completed in Australia, but in New Zealand more than 20 examples have been completed over the years.
The Turbulent consisted of a fuselage of rectangular box structure having four longerons, wooden frames, and a curved turtle deck with plywood covering. The empennage structure was of wood, the tailplane and fin were plywood covered, and the elevator and rudder were fabric covered. The wing was a one-piece, two-spar structure, with the front spar having laminated spruce booms and plywood webs to form a box. A diagonal drag spar was also fitted between the front and rear spars. The leading-edge was plywood covered forming a D-nose torsion box, and the remainder of the wing was fabric covered.
Turbulents registered in New Zealand have included: ZK-BWE (c/n PFA505), ZK-CAC (c/n PFA506), ZK-CAQ (c/n PFA573), ZK-CAX (c/n PFA568), ZK-CFX (c/n PFA1009), ZK-CQC (c/n PFA40), ZK-CWE (c/n BCS154.2), ZK-DIM (c/n DH006) and ZK-WPT (c/n 001).
Most Australian-built Turbulents were initially VH registered but the survivors have all been transferrred to the Recreational Aviation Australia Register (RAA).