Fournier RF 4

The Fournier RF 4 is a single-seater motor glider designed by in 1966. It is an aerobatic version of the Fournier RF 3.pilotfriend.com: Fournier aircraft history, performance and specifications - accessed 13 March 2008Sailplane Directory: Fournier RF 5 - accessed 13 March 2008

Design and development Conceived as a motor glider and sport touring aircraft, the RF 4 was introduced in 1966. It is of all-wood construction and is fully aerobatic. The landing gear consists of a monowheel gear which retracts forward into a fibreglass cowling. The main wheel has a brake which is manually operated. There is a small steerable tailwheel and wing-mounted outrigger wheels.Plane and Pilot: 1978 Aircraft Directory, page 73. Werner & Werner Corp, Santa Monica CA, 1977.

Operational history An RF 4D was flown by Mira Slovak across the Atlantic Ocean while participating in the May 1969 Daily Mail Trans-Atlantic Air Race. The flight won a £1,000 prize offered by the London Evening News for the best performance in the race by an aircraft under gross take-off weight. The main landing gear fork is an ongoing maintenance issue, with regular replacements needed.

Variants RF 4 Prototype aerobatic variant of the RF 3, three-built by Alpavia RF 4D Production variant, 155 built in Germany by Sportavia-Putzer, D was for Deutschland. 16 shipped to America

Specifications (RF 4D)

Fournier RF 4

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