Boisavia B-60 Mercurey

In 1946, Lucien Tieles built the prototype of a three-seat high wing monoplane - the B.50 Muscadet. This aircraft, powered by an 100 hp Renault engine, was then redesigned with a higher rear fuselage decking to provide full four-seat capacity. Fitted with a 140 hp Renault 4 Pei engine, and designated B.60 Mercurey, the first aircraft made its maiden flight on 3 April, 1949 and Tieles established the Société Boisavia to build the aircraft commercially. It was a conventional high-wing braced monoplane with fixed tailwheel undercarriage. Forty six were built and found use in the normal general aviation roles of tourer, trainer, agricultural aircraft, and glider tug.

While the prototype Mercurey had used a Renault engine, most production units were the B.601L with an 190 hp Lycoming flat four engine. With the same airframe the company was able to produce small numbers of other versions with different engines and Mercurey production continued until the middle of 1962 with virtually all sales being made in France or its overseas territories. Serial numbers ran from c/n 1 to 5, 18 to 29, 51 to 55 and 100 to 116. In addition, the various prototypes had unique serial numbers.

Boisavia B-601L Mercurey

Variants:

B.60 Mercurey
3 prototypes powered by 100 kW (140 hp) Renault 4Pei engine
Prototype F-WFDV c/n 01, first flown April 3, 1949.

B.60 tourer/trainer also employed for ag work and as glider tugs
c/n 01 F-BFDV, 02 F-BFLL/F-BFLM, 03 F-BFLP

B.601 Mercurey
1949 initial production, B.60 with 190 hp Lycoming O-435-A engine (3 built).
c/n 1 F-BFON, 2 F-BFLM, 2 F-BAIL

B.601L Mercurey Luxe
1956 Main production version, equipped with an 130 kW (180 hp) Avco Lycoming O-360-C engine (27 built)

B.602 Mercurey
Powered by a 123 kW (165 hp) Continental E165-4 engine (2 built), c/n 1 F-BAIM

B.602A Mercurey
1961, 1x 159 kW (213 hp) Continental O-470-11, c/n 116, F-BIUP

B.603 Mercurey Special
Glider tug version, powered by a 180 kW (240 hp) Argus As 10-C3B engine (5 built)
aka B.603 R II: c/n 51-55 (F-BIRG, F-BIRH, F-BIRI, F-BIRJ, F-BIRK

B.604 Mercurey II
Dedicated glider tug with lengthened fuselage, powered by a 170 kW (230 hp) Salmson 9ABc radial piston engine (1 built) F-WGVE c/n 02. First flown January 6, 1954

B.605L Mercurey Luxe
c/n 4 F-BHCI a re-engined 601L possibly

B.606 Mercurey
130 kW (170 hp) Regnier 4L-O0 (SNECMA 4L-00) engine (1 built)

Boisavia B.601 Mercurey

Boisavia B.603 Mercurey (F-BRFJ c/n 01)

Specifications:

B.60
Engine: 1 × Renault 4Pei, 104 kW (140 hp) each
Length: 7.10 m (23 ft 3 in)
Wingspan: 11.38 m (37 ft 4 in)
Height: 2.10 m (6 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 18.0 sq.m (194 sq.ft)
Empty weight: 520 kg (1,146 lb)
Gross weight: 1,000 kg (2,205 lb)
Maximum speed: 235 km/h (146 mph)
Cruising speed: 190 km/h (118 mph)
Range: 1,100 km (684 miles)
Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,045 ft)
Rate of climb: 4.0 m/s (790 ft/min)
Crew: one pilot
Capacity: 3 passengers