The first Druine Aircraft

[Jemiba]

I would like to forward a question of a member from another forum.
Roger Druine, known for a number of well-known amateur aircraft, made the
maiden flight with his first construction in May 1939, when he was just 17 years
old. Designated R.D.1, it was a single seat biplane, powered by a 25 hp Poinsard
engine and contrary to his later succesful designs, it remained a one-off.
Some Information can be found here
http://www.aviafrance.com/aviafrance1.php?ID=10183&ID_CONSTRUCTEUR=441&ANNEE=0&ID_MISSION=0&MOTCLEF= ,
but has someone seen a photo or drawing of it ?

 

[cluttonfred]

Here's one I can help with. Courtesy of the great French national library online archive http://gallica.bnf.fr/, here are some period clippings from the magazine Les Ailes. The 1938 article without a photo is essentially the text of an interview with Druine, in which he mentions that he scrimped and saved for the materials but his aircraft is complete except for the motor and he asks if a reader might be able to lend him one. The first 1939 article, also without a photo, is a report of the results of a national championship for young pilots, in which Druine placed first in his region. The second 1939 article, with a photo which I have provided in a larger format, describes how the local authorities in Cambrai allowed him to exhibit his engineless airframe in the meeting room at city hall, and the donations which he received were enough for him to buy a used Poinsard 25hp engine, overhaul it, and finally fly in his creation. The plane was aptly described in the first article above as reminiscent of a Caudron Luciole scaled down to a light single-seater. What a shame that this young man who went on to create the Turbulent, Turbi and Condor designs still flying today passed away in 1958 at just 37 years old.

 

[Jemiba]

"Do a good deed every day !"

You've done so and certainly made someone happy, many thanks indeed !
I wonder, if it would still be possible today for a 17-year old to build and fly
an aircraft, without without infringing quite a number of laws.