08/31/2010. Remarks by Walter van Tilborg: "The Busard (Harrier) was developed by Robert Lefèbvre (Secretary of the RSA at the time) from the one-of-a-kind
MP 204 designed by Max Plan (first flown as F-WBGE on June 5, 1952). Lefèbvre lightened the design and made it suitable for amateur construction. The modernized version differed mainly in having a slight increase in wingspan, taller vertical tail, more streamlined engine cowling and canopy, and a turtle deck.

Lefèbvre built the aircraft assisted by pupils of the Albert Camus Technical School in Rouen, France, and he first flew it on December 9, 1973. Initially powered by a 65 hp Continental A65, it was later re-engined with a 90 hp Continental C90 engine.

A number of aircraft was built, including the MP 205 F-PRJR built by Bernard Marichy (powered by a 90 hp Continental C90-8F, first flown November 20, 1995, and by Louis Bomaire (powered by an 100 hp Continental O-200-A, first flown October 19, 1997). Further aircraft used VW and Walter Mikron 4-III engines.

The MP 207 was a refined version with a span of 19 ft 10.2 in (6.05 m) and a length of 17ft 8.6 in (5.40 m), and an O-200-A engine. The first was built by Joseph Rieth and had its maiden flight November 25, 1984. A second MP 207 flew on September 22, 2000 and was completed by James Mangold and Stéphane Ballandin. Following data refers to the MP 205 versions with different engines.

Span: Length: Height: Wing area: Weight empty: Weight max: Max speed: Landing speed: Range:

A65 Continental 19 ft 8.25 in (6.00 m) 17 ft 6.75 in (5.35 m) 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m) 64.6 sq.ft (6 sq.m) 514 lb (233 kg) 747 lb (339 kg) 146 mph (235 kmh) 50 mph (80 kmh) 279 mls (450 km)

C90 Continental 19 ft 8.25 in (6.00 m) 17 ft 6.75 in (5.35 m) 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m) 64.6 sq.ft (6 sq.m) 527 lb (239 kg) 760 lb (345 kg) 180 mph (290 kmh) - -

1,600 cc Volkwagen 19 ft 8.25 in (6.00 m) 17 ft 0.75 in (5.20 m) 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m) 64.6 sq.ft (6 sq.m) - - 130 mph (210 kmh) - -