-See original Photos of Mauboussin    -See the restoration    -Read a little history Mauboussin 123C (Ex 129/48) N° 189 "Corsaire" -Click on the photos to enlarge Un peu d'histoire... This plane was given to the MAE This article is protected by copyright. Reproduced here by kind permission of the magazine Le Fana de l'Aviation. Author Jean Noel. A little history... The Mauboussin M 123, came from a project named M 120/37, it is a two-seat tandem, designed for the Aviation Populaire of the time. It could also be used for basic training, or even basic aerobatics with a hourly rate considered very low. In July 1937, a fuselage M123 was subjected to static testing which were completely satisfactory. First flight was from the field of Mont-de-Marsan in December 1937, piloted by M Gouriou. About 60 were ordered either by the government, or by private individuals. About ten or so survived the Second World War and reappeared as early as 1946. Thus the Type M 123C came into being, "C" for Continental A65. In February 1957, the Metalair 1 ex M123 N°178 was restored by the Aéro-Club des Métallurgistes of Persan Beaumont. In 1960, M Grenet at Beynes, fitted an M123 with a closed canopy and a Hirth engine of 105hp. Different versions of M123 planned in 1937 were never made. Les M132 T with a Train engine of 60hp, M 123R with a Régnier engine of 60 hp, and the M123M with a Minié of 70 hp. The Mauboussin 129, differed from the 123 only in it's slightly more powerful engine a Minié 4Do of 75 hp. A little over 20 were completed. If it's series construction started in 1939, it only really came off the production lnes in the Fouga d'Aire sur Adour factory, after the liberation. Certain aircraft served for observation of the German pockets of resistance. In Junen 1958, Mr. Simon GLOTIN on the aerodrome at Nantes, made a trial flight of an M 129/48 fitted with a Continental of 65 hp and an enclosed canopy. ( Ed. this is the aircraft restored by the MAPICA.) The Mauboussin restored by the MAPICA and which is destrined to be exposed at the Musée de l'Air at Le Bourget started it's career registered F-BCIT in 1949 with the Aéro-Club of Brest-Guipavas. It was an M 129/48 carrying the number 189, as can be seen on the identification plates found on the aircraft. It became an M 123 C by the replacement of the Minié engine by a Continental ( hence the letter C ). After being bought by Mr. GLOTIN, it was registerd F-PJKQ.