Three years after the first flight of his initial aircraft, Claude Piel constructed another plane named “Pinocchio.” Despite sharing the same designation, these were two entirely different machines. The CP-20, which first took to the air on July 1, 1951, was a single-seat, cantilever low-wing monoplane.
It was equipped with a 25 hp (19 kW) four-cylinder Volkswagen engine. The aircraft’s contours somewhat resembled a significantly scaled-down British Spitfire fighter.
Evolution of the Pinocchio Series
Following the first CP-20 (F-PGGI), several variants were developed. The CP-210 featured a 45 hp (34 kW) Salmson 9 ADb radial engine. A slightly modified version, the CP-211, introduced a new cockpit canopy, while the CP-212 was fitted with a 65 hp Continental A65 engine.
Production and Restoration
In total, about twenty CP-20 aircraft were completed. The unique CP-212 was restored in the early 2000s under the designation CP-215 and equipped with an 80 hp four-cylinder Jabiru engine, ensuring its continued flight legacy.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | CP-20 |
| Wingspan, m | 7.30 |
| Length, m | 5.60 |
| Height, m | 1.35 |
| Wing area, m2 | 9.50 |
| Empty weight | 177 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 270 |
| Fuel, l | 35 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Volkswagen |
| Power, hp | 1 x 25 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 135 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 120 |
| Practical range, km | 480 |
| Practical ceiling, m | 3000 |
| Crew, crew | 1 |
Image gallery of the CP-20 Pinocchio
