It’s big, bold and brassy – it’s a Broussard, a Beaver with a Gallic twist!
By: shortfinals
Tags: aircraft, Broussard, DHC Beaver, England, French Army, Great Vintage Flying Weekend, Keevil, Max Holste, P & W R985 engine, Wiltshire
Category: aircraft, Aviation, Great Vintage Flying Weekend
| Aperture: | f/4.5 |
|---|---|
| Focal Length: | 9.2mm |
| ISO: | 100 |
| Shutter: | 1/0 sec |
| Camera: | MVC-CD500 |
- Max Holste MH1521 Broussard
When the French Army wanted a strong, serviceable utility aircraft, they asked the Max Holste concern to re-invent the wheel, or rather re-invent the DHC Beaver. Like the earlier Beaver, the Broussard (French for ‘brush’) was powered by the 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R985 radial engine. However, despite the fact that 335 of them were built in France during the 1950s, and it looked remarkably similar to its Canadian rival (except for a twin-tail assembly) it was no way near as successful. Nose heavy, and with some difficult handling characteristics, it is a real handful for the average pilot. It can handle a payload of over 2, 200 lbs, but that ensures that it flies more like a truck than an aircraft; aerobatics are strictly prohibited!
2 comments on “It’s big, bold and brassy – it’s a Broussard, a Beaver with a Gallic twist!”
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
This month’s offerings!
Useful links
- Courtesy Aircraft Courtesy Aircraft are a purveyor of fine, used warbirds and other aircraft
- DONATE to the The People's Mosquito DONATE to help The People’s Mosquito Ltd build a Mosquito!
- Passiondesavions Excellent blog from a pilot and Air Traffic Controller (en francais). The photography is exceptional. C’est magnifique!
- The Mighty Jingles A truly amazing wargaming channel; aircraft (War Thunder) as well as tanks (World of Tanks)
- The People's Mosquito Ltd Help to launch a de Havilland Mosquito into British skies! An aviation charity with just one aim….
- TPM Fund Help us build a Mosqutio for Britain!
- Travelforaircraft An excellent aircraft miscellany!
Shortfinals - aviation and more! 
Hi there,
Not sure where you’re obtaining your info, but the Broussard was actually developed independently of French military specification after they had lost interest in the earlier MH.152 of 1949 vintage. So no-one asked Max Holste to “re-invent” the Beaver.
In fact DHC could have learned something about building rugged aeroplanes from MH; every panel of the Broussard was painted and sealed on the inside before assembly to prevent corrosion.
Once they finally recognised the potential of the MH.1521, the French military ordered it in volume.
The Broussard was also renowned for its suitability as an ab initio trainer, despite your claim that it had poor handling.
Yours,
A Broussard fan
LikeLike
I get my information from many sources, including in this case personal inspection and experience. And yes, during my Broussard flight, I would regard the handling (particularly in the landing phase) as a little uncertain. Signed…..someone who knows!!!!
LikeLike