[Spridgets] Fw: Fwd: WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR

[Woerpel]

Belgian licensed Gypsy Moth?
Dave W.

JLC wrote:
> CB wrote:
> ......a Belgian Stampe??! Man, that goes back a ways. I think they made
> trainer types as far back as the 1920's. 
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Actually, the Belgian production of the Stampe biplane stopped in 1939, with
> the German invasion. After the war, France restarted the production of the
> Stampe SV4, most of which were fitted with the Renault PO-4 engine, across
> the Belgian border. From 1945 to 1949, the SNCAN (Societe nationale de
> Construction Aoeronautique du Nord) manufactured about 700 SV4 planes. 
>
>  In 1947, the Algerian (North Africa) Atelier Industriel de L'air built 150
> planes. Algeria was then a French colony. I think this is one of these
> planes the local LBC group member has, and it is rumored these were better
> made than the previous post-war planes (better alloys and wood).  I think
> the last Stampe made was made in 1950 or 1951.
>
> I remember the Stampe as a plane commonly used in Aerobatics in France in
> the 1960s, despite the fact it could not fly upside down for more than a few
> seconds if my memory serves me right (fuel starvation problem?) In the
> 1970s, other aerobatics planes, purpose built, came to the forefront and the
> aging Stampe was retired. I was very surprised to see two of them here in
> Colorado Springs! 
>
> Have a great weekend!
>
> JLC
>
> Stampe photo here:
> http://www.military-aircraft.org.uk/trainers/stampe-sv4.htm