France Encore: Air Museum - June 20 (Part I)

On our way from Saumur to Angers, we came across the Air Museum of Angers-Marcé. It's a small museum that had a great collection of vintage and glider aircraft. I was a bit disappointed as I was expecting - hoping - to see a few of the fighter aircraft from WW II. Even so, it was a lovely way to spend the afternoon as it was cold and very windy outside.

The Rene-Gasnier III was the first aeroplane to take flight in the Anjou district (eq. to our province). This beautiful vintage aeroplane looks much like our Silver Dart ... and flew just as well (they had a badly bent up propellor to prove it).

In one corner of the hangar, we found a wonderful workshop full of tools for wood working. Volunteers (retired aviation pilots and engineers) reconstruct planes and were more than happy to explain the process. In this case, the rebuilding of the wing for the French Bobcat.

M found a plane of special interest. The size and folding wings made the airplane a perfect replacement for her Honda - her new mode of transportation! As a bonus, it would fit nicely in the garage.

Nothing fancy for K - the pilot may be ready but the plane was not. The aircraft was still being rebuilt and did not have a tail when I took the controls!

K next to the "Wylie Coyote". Great paint job! Note the small model aircraft - they were scattered all over the place - ducks and ducklings.

The closest M ever got to the Concord. Yes, you are right, this is not a vintage or glider aeroplane but seeing she has been retired, she fits.

Another strange bird from the early days of aviation. Would be great to take this baby one out for a spin.....

A model of a glider carrying a very colourful paint job.

This one would be better in an automobile museum - missing are its wings.... Was used to ferry some of the first home builts to the local aerodrome.

Another very interesting bird. Pretty fragile wings much shaped like the wings of a bat.

Strange to find an example of the Merlin V12 engine here - the heart of a Spitfire.

Two photos of a very beautiful glider that set many records. Note the air/speed brakes that fold out from underneath the wings.

Compare the above with another beautiful glider below. Note the air/speed brakes - they slide out vertically from wing slots located on both top and under surfaces. Also, making this my favourite of their collection is the V-tail.

I was hoping to find a Fieseler Storch but to no avail. Instead, I found a grasshopper and a criquet....

US Army Cub - Piper L4H (Grasshopper)

And the Morane-Saulnier Criquet (the French version of the Storch).... Note the wing slats and aeleron configuration giving this aircraft its unique flying characteristics - can seemingly land/takeoff on a dime.