03/31/2024. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The Raz-Mut was designed by Jean Saint-Germain of Drummondville, Quebec, as an easy-to-build and easy-to-fly ultra-light aircraft. It could be used for sport flying by amateurs, but also for a variety of utility applications including agricultural spraying and survey work.
Design was started in May 1976, the basic Bensen B-8 gyrocopter structure being used as airframe for the Raz-Mut. Two prototypes were built at the Centre de Récherches Jean Saint-Germain Inc., these were powered by a 44 hp Kohler K-440 snowmobile engine, hence the engine model in the aircraft's designation. The first of the two prototypes flew for the first time in September 1976, it proved to be underpowered, and the third Raz-Mut, demonstrated at the 1977 EAA Fly-in at Oshkosh had a 1,700 cc Volkswagen engine. Also at the fly-in was a then-unflown version with an alternative McCulloch MC-431 engine. Both embodied a number of aerodynamic refinements compared with the first Raz-Mut, including a drooped wing leading-edge, upper-surface fences and wide fairings over the wing bracing struts.
Kit production had begun in December 1976, and the type was marketed in Canada by the Jean Saint-Germain Inc., meeting the ultra lights rules in that country.
The basic kit contained all raw materials and components needed to build the Raz-Mut, including the Kohler engine and propeller but excluding instruments, battery and seat cushion. A more expensive kit offered the materials and components in pre-finished state, so that only a simple tool kit was required to complete the aircraft. As an alternative, building and servicing instructions, and a list of materials, were available to those who are willing to purchase their own materials and perform all the machining and other work. Optional items included alternative ski or float landing gear, and a modified Volkswagen or McCulloch engine. With the VW engine, the Canadian authorities approved a max take off weight of 900 lb (408 kg), including an average 440 lb (200 kg) useful load.
No. 14270. Saint-Germain Raz-Mut (C-GQWI c/n JM2)
Photographed at London, Ontario, Canada, by David Osborne
(F-PYKG) (Walter van Tilborg Memorial Collection)
By May 1977, 82 kits had been ordered, by Summer 1977 a total of 39 kits had been delivered. The final number of Raz-Mut plans or kits sold, as well of Raz-Muts that have flown, are obscure. Below the aircraft known to have flown:
By May 1977, 82 kits had been ordered, by Summer 1977 a total of 39 kits had been delivered. The final number of Raz-Mut plans or kits sold, as well of Raz-Muts that have flown, are obscure. Below the aircraft known to have flown:
(C-GQWI) (Johan Visschedijk Collection)
The sole known aircraft with an enclosure was the C-GQWI. Built in 1978 by Joseph 'Joe' Marczi of Welland, Ontario, this aircraft was completed with a fiberglass enclosure (except for the rear) and with a 65 hp Avco Lycoming O-145-B2 as power plant. The registration was cancelled on March 29, 1984, a year later, February 19, 1985, C-GQWI was registered to George Baynes of Niagara Falls, Ontario and Roger Noyes of nearby Stevensville. A decade later, June 15, 1995, the registration was cancelled.
The sole known aircraft with an enclosure was the C-GQWI. Built in 1978 by Joseph 'Joe' Marczi of Welland, Ontario, this aircraft was completed with a fiberglass enclosure (except for the rear) and with a 65 hp Avco Lycoming O-145-B2 as power plant. The registration was cancelled on March 29, 1984, a year later, February 19, 1985, C-GQWI was registered to George Baynes of Niagara Falls, Ontario and Roger Noyes of nearby Stevensville. A decade later, June 15, 1995, the registration was cancelled.
Created March 31, 2024