Le Bourget museum restoration facilities

As for the wreck of the crashed one, there were photographs in the local newspaper Ouest France. There was not much to save ast the plane exploded when hitting the ground.

I’m sad to hear that. 🙁 Sadly, sometimes such things happen. Thanks for that additional info Willy.

Greets,
J.V.

second one will be rebuilt at Rochefort in a near future.

Right, This one was at la Ferté Alais few years ago. It’s now at Rochefort but ‘near’ future is not the good word 🙂

Went through my files, and here is a picture showing the fifth engine in the process of being removed:

One question for Laurent:

What happened to the fifth engine and the testing rig earlier fitted to the Connie?

Hello Willy,

First, I can confirm you that there will be an open day at the restoration facilities this week-end, no problem for that.

The fifth engine was removed in March/April 2002 as the Museum wanted to display the Constelletion during a nocturnal display in Jume of the same year to commemorate the Lindberg flight, and other major Atlantic crossing milestone. They quicly cleaned the bird, did some quick paint job, and voila! Unfortunately, I could not go to that display, so no pictures from me 🙁 The fifth engine is now stored, I saw it last September in a hangar. Do you want a picture of it if I see it again?

Laurent

Surprisingly, when you check the website JournéesduPatrimoine/2004, there is no mention of the open door of the Restortation/Storage the link to the luseum just indicates entrance 7 euros, whereas normally all museums listed are accessible free of charges on those days.

For the Dewoitine D.520, I also read a few weeks ago that besides the D.520 now at Bordeaux a second one will be rebuilt at Rochefort in a near future.

As for the wreck of the crashed one, there were photographs in the local newspaper Ouest France. There was not much to save ast the plane exploded when hitting the ground.

I just came across various articles in old magazines Le fanatique de l’aviation.

If something might be of interest, i will translate it and post.

One question for Laurent:

What happened to the fifth engine and the testing rig earlier fitted to the Connie?

WOW

What a treasure trove of goodies 😮 , Thanks all for posting this lot 😀 , Yes I for one would like to see a D-520 flying again, 🙁 And for that matter some of the other French fighters from W.W.2 as well :rolleyes: Are there many of these types hidden away somewhere in France :confused: , Cheers Gents, Tally Ho! 😉 Phil :diablo:

Very impressive collection!

I hope that one day they’ll all be accessible.

There really are some fabulous a/c stored there.

yes Merlin but the problem is : you could see these fabulous planes only one day per year (next week end) !!!!

Franck

Last batch of shots.

Ben

# C-47
# Canberra
# Meteor NF.11
# Bréguet Alizé

There really are some fabulous a/c stored there. The museum itself also has some incredible airframes, it must rate very high in top museums in Europe.

I couldn’t agree more. This thread has been a great eye opener for me.

Many thanks.

Maarvin

There really are some fabulous a/c stored there. The museum itself also has some incredible airframes, it must rate very high in top museums in Europe.

More photos taken during the last open days (2003).

Ben

# Bréguet 1001 Taon
# Bréguet Br 941S
# Caudron CR.760
# Skyraider Bu126979

D.520 s/n 408 – F-ZWVB

I was told recently by a friend that parts of the tail cone are now with the naval air museum of Rochefort. I know drawings & plans are existing and there is some Hispano-Suiza engines available in France. I hope one day we’ll have the chance to see a reproduction / replica flying.

Ben

© Hervé Champain

Hi Stieglitz,

Regarding the D520 crash in 1986, I was told by a friend who was at the airshow that the plane made a sharp turn to avoid flying over the public, stalled and crashed. The pilot, Christian Bove, was killed. The tail section was the least damaged part, was restored and is now preserved at a french air force base, but unfortunately, I cannot rmember which one. Maybe someone will have more info on that.

Really a shame that this nice plane crashed, I wish I could have seen and heard it at least once 🙁

Laurent

The Dewotine D.520 crashed on finals at Vannes in July 1986, the pilot was killed.

I have more info somewhere and will revert later.

At the moment two D.520 will be rebuilt to static condition. Works are under progress at the moment.

Thanks for that first piece of info. I hope you can find more. And if you do, don’t hesitate to share it.

Cheers,
J.V.

concerning the D529 seen in this post, is now rebuilt and based at Bordeaux to the CAEA association ( http://www.caea.info/ )

some pics by Pierre Clement :

The Dewotine D.520 crashed on finals at Vannes in July 1986, the pilot was killed.

I have more info somewhere and will revert later.

At the moment two D.520 will be rebuilt to static condition. Works are under progress at the moment.

WOW! Not a regular on this forum (more Airliners), but I spend most of my time working in Paris, between LBG and CDG – and i’m staying until Sat on LBG at the Kyriad Prestige! Anybody in the area and fancy a visit on Friday? If so PM me – so glad i stumbled accross this thread!

The answer to both questions is yes, Merlin70 🙂

Laurent

Many thanks.

tc

The answer to both questions is yes, Merlin70 🙂

Laurent