CP-20 Pinocchio

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