Photograph:
Jodel D-150 Sky Prince VH-LPN (c/n N189) at Wedderburn, NSW in August 2005 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
France
Description:
Two-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 78 kw (105 hp) Potez 4 E20 four-cylinder in-line air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.15 m (26 ft 9 in)
- Length: 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in)
- Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 13.09 m² (141 sq ft)
- Max speed: 238 km/h (148 mph)
- Cruising speed: 190 km/h (118 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 210 m/min (690 ft/min)
- Range: 1,690 m (1,050 miles)
- Empty weight: 410 kg (904 lb)
- Loaded weight: 720 kg (1,587 lb)
History:
The Jodel D-150 Mascaret was a two-seat, side-by-side, light sport aircraft developed by the Societe Aeronautique Normande to follow the D-112 series on the production line, the prototype of the series flying for the first time on 2 June 1962, production commencing during 1963. The type used the basic fuselage of the D-117 Grand Tourisme, which itself was developed from the D-11 series, using a wing based on that fitted to the DR-1050 Ambassadeur. The vertical tail surfaces were slightly swept but otherwise it was similar in appearance to the D-117.
A total of 250 examples was produced by Societe Aeronautique Normande and it was also built by Alpavia SA. A number have been built by amateur constructors from plans. Engines installed were usually the Rolls Royce Continental O-200A of 75 kw (100 hp), with which it was known as the D-150 Sky Prince, and the Potez 4 E-20, with which it was known as the D-150A. One example was fitted with a 93 kw (125 hp) Franklin 4A-235 engine.
Examples have been completed in Australia, including D-150 Sky Prince VH-BNL (c/n WJC-001) based on the New South Wales central coast. A further example VH-PNH (c/n Q-047) was removed from the Register in May 2018.
One has been completed in New Zealand known as the D-150X. Registered as ZK-CCD (c/n AACA/360/2), it was first registered on 7 November 2011. This aircraft included a number of modifications, including the luggage locker from the D-140, the tailplane of the D-18, the rudder of the D-150, and the wing aerofoil of the D-18. The wing was enlarged and had split flaps. This aircraft was fitted with a cockpit 112 cm (44 in) wide, and the windscreen from a Fletcher FU-24. This aircraft also differed in having a Peugeot 1.9 litre turbocharged diesel of 72 kw (97 hp), with a belt reduction drive giving 2,400 rpm at the propeller at 3,300 rpm engine revolutions. The radiator for the engine was located in the leading-edge of one wing and the battery was installed in the other wing.