Toulouse. High school students will reproduce this famous Aéropostale plane in real size
By Thibaut Calatayud
Published on
A unique and ambitious project. Monday March 7, 2022, Toulouse From the Métropole, L’Envol des Pionniers, the associations Laté 28 and Le Cercle des Machines Volantes as well as several high schools of the Toulouse academy have committed to building a full-size replica , of the famous Aéropostale plane, the Late 28.
An iconic plane
The partners have given themselves five years to reproduce this famous device as faithfully as possible, on the very site where it was built almost 100 years ago. However, don’t expect to see it split the Toulouse sky. This replica will not fly.
“This 19-metre wingspan monoplane, commissioned in 1929, is considered one of the first modern airliners, able to accommodate up to 8 passengers. Equipped with wicker chairs and on-board toilets, it was also available in a seaplane version, the Laté 28.3”.
This Latécoère owes its fame to the many exploits it has achieved. If he smashed several speed records at the time, he also allowed the aviator John Mermoz to cross the South Atlantic for the first time with mail. It was in 1930.
High school students will make the parts
The aircraft will be assembled in hangars (former engine workshops) of Air France located opposite L’Envol des Pionniers. To do this, SEMECCEL (a semi-public company in charge of operating the Cité de l’Espace and L’Envol des Pionniers) will monitor the smooth running of the site and provide its technical know-how on the construction of the plane.
“The association Le Cercle des Machines Volantes has provided access to documents and plans allowing an identical reconstruction. High schools from the Toulouse Academy will be in charge of producing new parts for the aircraft by combining historical know-how and current technologies,” explains L’Envol des Pionniers.
At the end of 2022, visitors to L’Envol des Pionniers will be able to discover a few pieces, including part of the plane’s fuselage, as part of a future temporary exhibition. L’Envol des Pionniers also organizes several mediations during events such as the European Heritage Days.
Was this article helpful to you? Note that you can follow Actu Toulouse in the My Actu space. In one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.