The Fauvel AV.45 was an unorthodox motor glider produced in France in the 1960s and 1970s. Like other

Charles Fauvel Charles Fauvel (31 December 1904 - 10 September 1979) was a French aircraft designer noted for his tailless and flying wing designs and, in particular, his sailplanes. Fauvel became interested in soaring after witnessing a competition at Vauville ...

designs, it was a tailless aircraft, in this case inspired by the work that German firms had done on producing motorised versions of his AV.36 design. The prototype of the AV.45 was an extensively modified AV.36 powered by a

Nelson H-59 Nelson may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Nelson'' (1918 film), a historical film directed by Maurice Elvey * ''Nelson'' (1926 film), a historical film directed by Walter Summers * ''Nelson'' (opera), an opera by Lennox Berkeley to a lib ...

two-stroke engine. AV.45s have been built with a number of other engines, however, including at least one aircraft powered by a small turbojet (a

Microturbo Eclair Safran Helicopter Engines, previously known as Turbomeca, is a French manufacturer of low- and medium-power gas turbine turboshaft engines for helicopters. The company also produces gas turbine engines for aircraft and missiles, as well as tu ...

). Falconar marketed the plans in the 1970s.

Variants

* AV.45 - initial version ** AV.451 - version with increased span and refined aerodynamics * AV.48 - planned fibreglass version (not built)

Specifications (AV 45)

References

* * * {{Fauvel aircraft Fauvel aircraft 1960s French sailplanes Homebuilt aircraft Motor gliders Tailless aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1960 Pusher aircraft Single-engined pusher aircraft