Piel CP-301B Emeraude (oz1977)

About this Plan

Piel Emeraude. Scale French light plane. For Cox .020 power. From MAN, April 1960.

Quote: "France's encouraging attitude towards the construction and operation of amateur built aircraft makes her a world leader in this challenging and rewarding activity. Many hundreds of fine French home-built light planes are in use by flying clubs and individuals.

One of the most popular home-builts is the trim, fine performing Piel Emeraude. A two-seater of moderate cost to construct and operate, it is ideal for training and sport. Many are already flying in Europe, and several are nearing completion in the United States and Canada. Like most foreign light planes, construction is basically wood. The spruce and plywood structure, somewhat similar to our model, is fabric covered.

Several versions of the Emeraude have appeared, and all are fitted with Ameri­can Continental engines of 65 to 90 horse­power. The model CP-301 with the larger engine cruises at 118 mph, and yet it has low speed performance which enables it to operate from the typical small, grass runway French flying fields.

Our free-flight model captures not only the graceful lines, but also the good flying qualities of the real craft. An effort has been made to keep model weight low with­out sacrifice of strength or appearance. The light wing loading resulting from the 3.9 ounce total weight of the original model produced a nimble craft capable of gliding as smooth and slow as the old time buoyant rubber-powered models.

Standard construction techniques are used throughout, so the builder will find the model easy to reproduce. Needless to say the full-size plans will simplify the job. Study the plans and text thoroughly before starting so each construction detail will be understood before it is encountered.

Construction. Fuselage: Primary frame is assembled first; it is shown lightly shaded on the plan. Build two side frames, one atop the other, working directly over the plan. Notice that these side frames extend from the back of the nose block to the rudder. Both longerons and uprights are 1/8 x 1/8 hard balsa.

The curved sheet balsa member where the wing joins the fuselage is part of the primary frame, and it serves to locate the wing position. When dry, the side frames are separated, and positioned inverted over the top view. Cross members of 1/8 x 1/8 balsa join the side frames, but only those from station F-3 aft are installed at this time. Check the structure frequently to assure proper alignment..."

Update 01/12/2016: added article, thanks to RFJ.

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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