The Fournier RF-3 is a single-seat motor glider designed by

René Fournier René Fournier (born 18 December 1932) is a French former professional racing cyclist. He rode in three editions of the Tour de France The Tour de France () is an annual men's multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in France, while ...

and first flown in 1960.

Design and development

Fournier produced the Volkswagen-powered RF-1 single-seat motor-glider with a high-aspect ratio low-mounted wing,

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''F-WJGX'' it first flew on 6 July 1960. Fournier followed it with an improved variant, the RF-2 using a Rectimo AR.1200 engine, the first of two-built, with the help of Centre Est, first flew in June 1962. Fournier started a company Societé Alpavia to manufacture a production variant of the RF-2, named the RF-3. The first RF-3 was exhibited at the June 1963 Paris Air Show. Series production commenced later that year. An aerobatic variant with a strengthened airframe was produced as the Fournier RF 4.

Variants

;RF-1 :Prototype ''Avions Planeur'' first flown in 1960, one built. ;RF-2 :Improved variant, first flown in 1962, two built. ;RF-3 :Production variant first flown in 1963, 89 built by Alpavia at Gap-Tallard.

Specifications (RF-3)

References

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External links

{{Fournier aircraft 1960s French sailplanes Fournier aircraft Motor gliders Single-engined tractor aircraft Low-wing aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1963