Brochet MB.100

The Brochet MB.100 was a French light aircraft designed and built by Société Alphonse Brochet in the early 1950s. Conceived as a successor to the successful MB.70 series, the MB.100 first flew on 6 June 1954 and entered limited production the following year. It featured a high‑wing, strut‑braced monoplane layout with an enclosed cabin that could accommodate two occupants side‑by‑side, making it ideal for club flying, training and short‑range sightseeing missions. Power was supplied by a modest 65‑horsepower Continental A65 flat‑four engine, enabling cruising speeds around 150 km/h and a modest payload of roughly 250 kg. The aircraft’s wooden, fabric‑covered structure reflected Brochet’s traditional construction techniques, providing low manufacturing costs and ease of maintenance for private owners. Though only a handful were built, the MB.100 demonstrated the post‑war resurgence of French general aviation and contributed to the democratization of flight in rural aeroclubs. Its straightforward design and forgiving handling characteristics earned it a reputation as a reliable, economical platform for pilot training and leisure, cementing its modest yet noteworthy place in aviation history. A few restored MB.100s still appear at vintage air displays in France, serving as a nostalgic reminder of the country's post‑war aeronautical ingenuity.