Leopoldoff Colibri

Leopoldoff Colibri
Leopoldoff L.6 Colibri at Chavenay near Paris in 1967
Role Flight training and sporting aircraft
National origin France
Manufacturer Societe des Avions Leopoldoff
Designer M.L. Leopoldoff
First flight 27 September 1933
Introduction 1937
Status several flying in 2011
Primary user private owners and aero clubs
Number built 125


The Leopoldoff Colibri (English: Hummingbird) is a French-built light sporting and trainer biplane of the 1930s.

Development

The Colibri was designed to meet demand for an economical two-seat tandem training and sporting biplane and the prototype L.3 Colibri, powered by a 35 hp (26 kW) Anzani engine, first flew at Toussus-le-Noble airfield near Paris in September 1933.[1]

Series production of the L.3 Colibri fitted with the 45 hp (34 kW) Salmson 9Adb engine was started in 1937 by Aucouturier-Dugoua & Cie, followed by examples built by the Societe des Avions Leopoldoff, a total of 33 aircraft being completed before World War II.[2]

Operational history

1948-built L.7 fitted with a Continental engine

The Colibris served with aero clubs and private owners prewar, with several surviving the conflict. Production of six further Colibris was undertaken postwar by the Societe des Constructions Aeronautiques du Maroc in Morocco, receiving their designation CAM-1.[2] Various engines were fitted in service, and the aircraft involved received modified type numbers.

In 2011, three Colibris were active in France and two were flying in the United Kingdom.

Variants

L.3 prototype
35 hp (26 kW) Anzani engine (1 built);
L.3 production prewar
45 hp (34 kW) Salmson 9Adb radial engine (33 built);
L.31
L.3 fitted with 50 hp (37 kW) Boitel 5Ao engine;
L.32
L.3 fitted with Walter Mikron III engine;
CAM-1
Colibri built postwar in Morocco (6 aircraft);
L.53
Colibri fitted postwar with 75 hp (56 kW) Minie engine;
L.55
Colibri fitted postwar with 90 hp (67 kW) Continental C-90 engine;
L.6

Colibri fitted postwar with Minie 4 DF 28 engine;

L.7
Colibri built postwar and fitted with a Continental A65-8S engine.


Specifications (L.55 Colibri)

Data from [2]

General characteristics

Performance

References

Notes
  1. Green, 1965, P. 51
  2. 1 2 3 Simpson 2001, p. 324
Bibliography
  • Green, William (1965). The Aircraft of the World. Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd. 
  • Simpson, Rod (2001). Airlife's World Aircraft. Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-115-3. 
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