Mascaret - the name derives from a tidal bore which runs in a nearby Normandy river.
The Mascaret was designed in 1961 and flew for the first time in 1962; at the time, both SAN (Societe Aeronautique Normande) and CEA (Centre-Est Aviation, now Robin) were producing the D1050 Ambassadeur. This was a popular model and Délémontez used it as the basis for the Mascaret, having received a request from the DGAC (Direction General de l'Aviation Civile) who wanted a two-seater with long range and versatility.
The Mascaret was intended as a successor to the earlier two-seat D.117 but in fact it could much better be described as a sports-model variation of the Ambassadeur. In outward appearance the Mascaret could easily be mistaken for the Ambassadeur; its fabric and plywood construction, with tip-tilted single-spar cantilever wing, are identical in everything but size. There are, however, some considerable differences.
The standard Ambassadeur fuselage design was used as a starting point, incorporating several modifications. Its length was shortened by about nine inches and the cabin widened by about four; sufficient depth, area and rear clearance were designed into the instrument panel to allow for the fitting of a full set of avionics and blind-flying instruments. A large parcel shelf was provided, capable of supporting sixty kilos of evenly distributed baggage, depending on fuel load, because immediately below it is a third fuel tank.
The basic Ambassadeur wing was modified, removing one rib and wing bay from each side, giving a span of 26 feet 10 inches. Narrow-chord mechanically-operated plain flaps were added, with two settings: 20° for take-off and 50° for landings. Into the modified wing Délémontez fitted one fuel tank of 9 gallons capacity in each wing root forward of the spar, providing, with the main fuselage tank, an endurance of 8 hours and over 1,000 statute miles still-air range.
To obtain the best performance in the very different roles in which the aeroplane would be used – trainer, fully-loaded tourer or basic aerobat - Délémontez modified the rear part of the Ambassadeur fuselage with a fixed fin/rudder configuration, replacing the earlier all- flying tailfin. An all-flying stabilator with a servo/trim tab was introduced. This ensured maximum flight efficiency by allowing minimum induced tailplane drag throughout the whole C of G range. Stick forces throughout any combination of speed/loading can always be trimmed out and sufficient elevator authority is always available in the flare and landing/take-off configurations. The stabilator was fitted from the second example onward and has been incorporated into many other designs.
A new-design wide-track undercarriage was used, using
The Mascaret is a popular aircraft, eagerly sought by restorers once the PFA added the 150 to its eligibility list, a good dozen being quickly winkled out from France. Of the 62 originally built by SAN in France, some forty are airworthy today, perhaps more. Added to that number are the 100+ home-built Mascarets constructed from plans bought from Avions Jodel which survives today in the person of Délémontez' daughter. There are also ten or so built to modified plans drawn up by Frank Rogers of Australia.
