SABCA
S.2
The SABCA S.2 was a single‑engine, low‑wing monoplane developed in Belgium in the early 1930s as the company’s first indigenous design after years of licensed production. Conceived under the direction of engineer George C. Boutt, the S.2 first flew on 12 May 1932 from the Evere airfield, showcasing SABCA’s ambition to enter the light‑sport and training markets. The aircraft featured a wooden frame covered with fabric, a 120 hp de Havilland Gipsy III radial engine, and a fixed tailwheel undercarriage. Its side‑by‑side cockpit offered excellent visibility, while the wing incorporated spruce spars and externally braced ailerons for straightforward maintenance. Only five examples were built, but the type demonstrated the feasibility of domestic design and production, encouraging SABCA to pursue more advanced projects such as the S.5 racer and later the S‑120 trainer. The S.2’s modest performance—maximum speed 185 km/h, range 600 km, and gentle stall characteristics—made it popular with flying clubs and military auxiliary units. In retrospect, the S.2 marks a pivotal step in Belgian aviation, illustrating how a small manufacturer could transition from license building to original aircraft engineering. The aircraft also served as a testbed for aerodynamic refinements that later influenced the wing design of SABCA’s post‑war transports.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1926