Pottier P.50 Bouvreuil: The Plywood “Pocket Rocket”

The Pottier P.50 is not just an amateur-built aircraft; it is a tribute to geometric efficiency. Designed by Frenchman Jean Pottier, this legendary plane proves that you don’t need complex curves or exotic materials to have a “thoroughbred” in the air. Its genius lies in its radical simplicity: it is essentially a plywood box designed to fly fast using economical engines. It represents the shortest path between a stack of wood and the thrill of piloting your own personal fighter.

Why Is It a Legend?

The Aerodynamic “Shoebox”: Unlike other planes with rounded, difficult-to-build light-alloy or composite fuselages, the P.50 uses flat surfaces. It is built almost entirely from plywood and pine or spruce stringers. If you can cut a straight board and use wood glue, you can build a Bouvreuil fuselage.

Minimalist Mechanics: It was designed specifically to use the Volkswagen (VW) air-cooled “Beetle” engine. This means the “heart” of your airplane can be maintained with cheap, easy-to-find car parts, eliminating the reliance on expensive certified aviation engines.

The “Poor Man’s” Spitfire: Despite its low-tech construction, its appearance is that of a small air racer. It is compact, twitchy, and extremely agile. It is the perfect airplane for the pilot who wants to feel like they are flying a tiny wooden fighter for a fraction of the cost of a Cessna.

Garage Craftsmanship: No carbon fiber molds, no complex welding, and no thousands of aluminum rivets required. It is built with basic woodworking tools: a saw, sandpaper, clamps, and patience. It is the ultimate project for the garage craftsman.

Performance and Key Numbers

The P.50 Bouvreuil is “small but mighty.” Unlike the Sky Pup (which is essentially a powered glider), the Pottier is built for speed and cross-country efficiency.

General Specifications:

• Crew: 1 pilot

• Wingspan: 15.9 ft – 20.3 ft (4.85 m – 6.20 m) [Depending on wing version]

• Length: 17.5 ft (5.35 m)

• Wing Area: 81 sq ft (7.5 m²)

• Empty Weight: 420 – 460 lbs (190 – 210 kg)

• Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 725 – 770 lbs (330 – 350 kg)

• Typical Engine Power: 50 – 60 hp (VW 1600cc conversion)

Performance:

• Cruise Speed: 93 – 102 mph (150 – 165 km/h) — Very fast for its power!

• Never Exceed Speed (VNE): 118 mph (190 km/h)

• Stall Speed: 40 – 44 mph (65 – 70 km/h)

• Rate of Climb: 600 – 800 ft/min (3 – 4 m/s)

• Takeoff Distance: 650 – 820 ft (200 – 250 m)

• Fuel Consumption: 2.1 – 2.9 gallons per hour (8 – 11 L/h)

• Range: Approx. 310 – 370 miles (500 – 600 km)

In short, the Pottier P.50 Bouvreuil is the ideal choice if you have the soul of a carpenter and dreams of being a fighter pilot. It is the ultimate proof that with a few sheets of plywood, an old car engine, and a lot of sandpaper, anyone can have their own “mini-fighter” waiting in the garage.