05/15/2013. Remarks by Walter van Tilborg: "Designed by Maurice Brochet of the Constructions Aéronautiques Maurice Brochet at Neauphle-le-Château, France, the MB 50 was of wooden construction with fabric covering. Initially fitted with a 25 hp Poinsard engine, the prototype first flew on April 27, 1947, registered as F-WEAD.

MB 50 prototype after certification (F-PEAD) (Pierre Bregerie Collection)

When the prototype was certified, it was reregistered F-PEAD. In late 1947 and February 1948 it was twice re-engined, with respectively a 27 hp Sarolea engine and a 45 hp Salmson 9AD radial engine.

Intended for amateur construction, the MB 50 could be fitted with a wide range of engines, including the 27 hp Aubier Dunne, the 27 hp Sarolea, the 40 hp Praga D, the 45 hp Beaussier 4B-02, the 45 hp Salmson 9ADb, the 45 hp Train 4A, and the 45 hp Zlín Persey. At least seven more MB 50s were produced by amateur builders."

12/31/2009. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The first of the seven amateur-built MB 50s is pictured on top of the page, with contributor Pierre Bregerie in the cockpit. The aircraft was constructed by André Rochier and Lucien Bregerie, Pierre's father. It was fitted with a 40-50 hp Train four-cylinder air-cooled inverted in-line engine. (This engine was previously used on the Potez-CAMS 160 flying boat (first flown June 20, 1938).

Registered F-WFAL, it was first flown in 1948, being reregistered F-PFAL after receiving its CofA.

Brochet MB 50 Pipistrelle (G-AVKB)

In 1967 the F-PFAL was sold to the UK where it was registered as G-AVKB on April 17, and ca. 1977 the aircraft was re-engined with a 65 hp Walter Mikron III four-cylinder air-cooled inverted in-line engine. After having been flown in the UK for 42 year by ten successive owners it was deregistered on February 24, 2009.

Read the MB-series remarks on page 9996.