Espace Air Passion Angers-Marcé, France June 2022

Located at Angers Loire Aéroport, the Musée Régional de l'Air at Angers, was renamed in 2013 the Espace Air Passion. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 2:00pm to 6:00pm. The modern building with walkways has many exhibits on display, some of which are still flyable. Indeed, the Stampe was wheeled out while I was there for a flight. It is also the home of Groupement de préservation du patrimoine aéronautique (GPPA), an association founded in 1981 by a group of enthusiasts who spend many hours restoring aircraft held in side-rooms.

Left to right: Albert Type A 61 (F-AJFZ ‘2' c/n 01). Cessna Bobcat UC-78 (43-7733 registered OO-TIN) ex USAAF Museum, on rebuild.

Left to right: Peyret-Mauboussin Type 11 (F-AJUL c/n 02) inscribed ‘1931-1932 35,00 kms en Afrique' Designed by Louis Peyret and Pierre Mauboussin, it first flew July 9, 1930. Only two examples were built.

Left to right: Nord Aviation N.3400 Norbarbe (No. 78 ex ‘MAB' registered F-AZRC).

René Leduc RL-21 (F-WJDT c/n 01) first flown in 1960.

Left to right: Mignet HM.14 Pou du Ciel 'Flying Flea' (?). The original Mignet HM.14 designed in 1934 by Henri Mignet was probably the first home-built to be offered to the public for home construction. Following a number of fatal accidents and the discovery of aerodynamic design errors the French authorities banned it from flying in 1936, the British authorities following suit in 1937. The HM.293 was more streamlined and had a more powerful engine than the original HM.14 and many were sold as home-builds in the 1960s. Henri Mignet HM.360 (F-PKFV c/n 46) made its first flight in 1961.

Left to right: Henri Mignet HM.8 Avionnette (F-PYTA) first flew in 1985. Stampe SV4A (No.153 registered F-BMMG) ex AdlA. Morane-Saulnier MS.505 Criquet (No.149 ‘50S7' registered F-BAOU later F-BIPJ) ex Aeronavale built 1945. Planchais LD-45-4 (F-PHQN) Designed by Louis Delasalle, it was built by SECAT around 1946. It was rebuilt by Robert Planchais between 1950 and 1957 when it flew once again. It last flew in 2006. In 2010 it was moved here.

Left to right: Nord NC.856A Norvigie (No.38 registered F-PMBC) ex AdlA. Max Holste Broussard MH.1521M (38 'MJC' registered F-GPPA) ex ALAT. Fouga CM-170 Magister R (335) ex AdlA.

Potex JD 60 (F-PVQB).

Left to right: ? Jacobs DFS 108-68 Weihe (F-CRMX) designed by German Hans Jacob in 1938. This example was the third Weihe received by France as WWI reparations. Caudron C.800 Epervier (F-CAHD c/n 230).