Girish Mahajan (Editor)

CMC Leopard

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Length
  
7.54 m

Range
  
2,778 km

Cruise speed
  
810 km/h

First flight
  
December 12, 1988

Top speed
  
869 km/h

Wingspan
  
7.16 m

Engine type
  
Williams EJ22

CMC Leopard CMC Leopard

Cmc leopard takeoff inside


The CMC Leopard was a British light personal business jet developed in the 1980s. Two prototypes were built and flown, but the type was never put into production.

Contents

CMC Leopard CMC Leopard I Minijets

Cmc leopard canopy


Design and development

CMC Leopard httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

The Leopard was a twin-jet, mid-wing monoplane of composite construction with all-swept flying surfaces and jet fighter-like styling, apart from the podded engines, mounted on each side of the rear fuselage. The entire canopy hinged forward to allow access to the four seats.

CMC Leopard FileCMC Leopard Rear ViewJPG Wikimedia Commons

A mockup was completed in 1982, leading to a prototype (registration G-BKRL) built by the Designability company. The prototype first flew late in 1988. Development suffered a major setback when the engine manufacturer, Noel Penny Turbines, ceased business, leading to the grounding of the prototype. A second, refined prototype (registration G-BRNM) was then constructed to use Williams International turbofans. This aircraft also incorporated a pressurised cabin, revised undercarriage, and a generally strengthened airframe. This second prototype was unveiled at the 1996 Farnborough International Airshow and first flew on 9 April 1997.

CMC Leopard FileCMC Leopard 5761836119jpg Wikimedia Commons

The project never progressed beyond the two aircraft built, later redesignated Leopard Four to distinguish them from a six-seat variant proposed in 2001, the Leopard Six. Chief aircraft designer and CMC chairman Ian Chichester-Miles died in 2009, bringing the enterprise to an end.

Aircraft on display

CMC Leopard CMC Leopard Canopy YouTube

Until 2007, both prototype Leopards, G-BKRL and G-BRNM, were on display at the Bournemouth Aviation Museum. With the museum temporary closure and relocation in 2008, only the former was retained and moved to the new site, while G-BRNM was acquired by the Midland Air Museum at Coventry Airport.

Specifications (second prototype)

General characteristics

  • Crew: One pilot
  • Capacity: 3 passengers
  • Length: 24 ft 9 in (7.54 m)
  • Wingspan: 23 ft 6 in (7.16 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
  • Wing area: 63 ft2 (5.85 m2)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Williams FJX-1, 700 lbf (3.1 kN) each
  • Performance

  • Maximum speed: 540 mph (869 km/h)
  • Range: 1,726 miles (2,778 km)
  • Service ceiling: 55,000 ft (16,765 m)
  • Rate of climb: 6,340 ft/min (32.7 m/s)
  • References

    CMC Leopard Wikipedia


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