View source for Max Holste MH.1521 Broussard

<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
 |name= MH.1521 Broussard
 |image= File:Holste MH1521M 118 TOU 20.06.65 edited-3.jpg
 |caption=Operational French Army MH.1521M Broussard at Toussus-le-Noble airfield in 1965
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
 |type=Six-seat utility monoplane
 |national origin=France
 |manufacturer=[[Avions Max Holste]]
 |designer=
 |first flight=[[1952 in aviation|1952]]
 |introduced=[[1954 in aviation|1954]]
 |retired=1993 (French army)
 |status=
 |primary user=[[French Army]]
 |more users=
 |produced=
 |number built=396
 |developed from=
 |variants with their own articles=
}}
|}

The '''Max Holste MH.1521 Broussard''' is a 1950s [[France|French]] six-seat utility monoplane designed by [[Max Holste]] to meet a French Army requirement.

== Design and development ==
Following the end of the [[Second World War]], [[Avions Max Holste]] designed and built a new two-seat trainer and tourer aircraft, the [[Max Holste MH.52]], of which only small numbers were built. Holste then responded to a French Army requirement for an artillery spotter aircraft for a lightweight liaison and observation aircraft. The resulting design, the MH.152, had a fuselage based on that of the MH.52 and a high-mounted wing. It was powered by a {{convert|220|hp|kW}} [[Salmson 8 As.04]] engine and had an enclosed, fully-glazed cabin seating a pilot and four passengers. A prototype flew on 12 June 1951. While it demonstrated good short-field performance, the French Army's needs had changed, with it now requiring a robust utility aircraft similar to the [[de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver]].<ref name="abaw122p78">{{harvnb|Simpson|2022|pp=7–8}}</ref><ref name="jawa52p122">{{Harvnb|Bridgman|1952|p=122}}</ref> 
 
[[File:Max-Holste MH-1521 Broussard - AirExpo Muret 2007 0168 2007-05-12.jpg|thumb|right|Preserved MH-1521 Broussard at AirExpo in 2007]]
As  a result, the company decided to develop a slightly larger version, the MH.1521 with the engine changed to a [[Pratt and Whitney Wasp Junior]], which at {{convert|450|hp|kW}} provided almost twice as much power and a slab-sided fuselage giving room for up to seven seats.<ref name="jawa52p122"/><ref name="abaw122p8">{{harvnb|Simpson|2022|p=8}}</ref><ref name="jawa53p141">{{Harvnb|Bridgman|1953|p=141}}</ref> The MH.1521 is a braced high-wing monoplane with twin vertical tail surfaces. It has a fixed tailwheel landing gear and is powered by a nose-mounted [[Pratt & Whitney R-985]] radial piston engine. It first flew on 17 November 1952.<ref name="jawa53p141"/> It was later named the Broussard (lit. Man of the Bush, in the context of [[bush pilot]]s rather than [[Bushmen]]).  Its development was enthusiastically supported at a political level by WWII fighter ace and French war hero [[Pierre Clostermann]], a close friend of [[Max Holste]].   Clostermann wrote a [[Faction (literature)|faction]] novel, "Leo 25 Airborne", based on his experiences flying Broussards with Escadrille ELO 3/45 in [[Algeria]].

The first production aircraft made its maiden flight on 16 June 1954, and 363 were built before production ended in 1961.<ref name="jawa62p52">{{Harvnb|Taylor|1962|p=52}}</ref> Its similarity to the [[de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver]] in looks, capability and performance led it to be nicknamed "the French Beaver".

== Operational history ==
It saw service in the [[Algerian War]] as an Army cooperation aircraft, with more than 150 deployed,<ref name="abaw122p10"/> mostly as an artillery spotter and in an air supply/ambulance role, where its good short-field performance and resistance to ground fire were required.  Its distinctive sound, made by its noisy radial engine and large propeller, was a disadvantage as the Algerian guerrillas could hear its approach long before other aircraft.  

Following Algerian independence in 1963, the Algeria-based Broussards returned to [[France]], where they were used for liaison aircraft, while many of France's surplus Broussards were transferred to newly independent ex-French colonies.<ref name="abaw122p10"/> The Broussard remained in service with the French Air Force until December 1987, and with the French Army until December 1993, while the French Navy retired its last examples in 1996.<ref name="abaw122p11"/> Civil-owned Broussards can still be seen in Denmark, France, the UK, and the United States being operated by enthusiasts or collectors.

It saw combat on Portuguese Guinea for the Portuguese Air Force as well during the independence war acting mostly as an artillery spotter and in an air supply/ambulance role also as observation plane, it was retired during the 60's when the newer Do-27 became available.

== Variants ==
[[File:MH-1521M Broussard.JPG|thumb|right]]
;MH.152
:First prototype of the Broussard series, powered by a [[Salmson 8 As.04]] inverted V-8 engine.
;MH.1521
:Prototypes, five built plus two pre-production aircraft and 19 pre-production military variants.
;MH.1521A
:Aircraft modified for agricultural use.<ref name="jawa61p57"/>
;MH.1521C
:Production for civil or non-French military customers, 36 built.<ref name="abaw122p89">{{harvnb|Simpson|2022|pp=8, 9}}</ref>
;MH.1521M
:Production for French military, 319 built.<ref name="abaw122p9"/>
;MH.1522
:Based on MH.1521, with full span leading-edge slats and double-slotted trailing edge flaps to improve stall performance. Prototype, modified from a pre-production aircraft, flown on 11 February 1958,<ref name="jawa61p57">{{Harvnb|Taylor|1961|p=57}}</ref><ref name="abaw122p9">{{harvnb|Simpson|2022|p=9}}</ref> but later converted back to MH.1521 standard.<ref name="abaw122p9"/> 
;MH.153
:The prototype MH.152 powered by a [[Turbomeca Astazou]] turboprop engine. First flew in this form June 1957.<ref name="jawa61p57"/>

== Operators ==

===Military operators===
;{{ARG}}
*[[Argentine Air Force]]<ref name="abaw122p11">{{harvnb|Simpson|2022|p=11}}</ref>
*[[Argentine National Gendarmerie]]
;{{BEN}}
* [[Benin People's Air Force|Benin Air Force]]<ref name="waf82p1360">{{Harvnb|Gaines|1982|p=1360}}</ref>
;{{CAM}}
*[[Royal Cambodian Air Force]]
;{{CMR}}
* [[Cameroon Air Force]]<ref name="waf82p1360"/>
;{{CAF}}
* [[Central African Republic Air Force]]<ref name="waf82p1360"/>
;{{CHA}}
* [[Chad Air Force]]<ref name="waf82p1361">{{Harvnb|Gaines|1982|p=1361}}</ref>
;{{FRA}}
* [[French Air Force]]<ref name="abaw122p11"/>
* [[French Army]]<ref name="abaw122p11"/>
*[[French Naval Aviation]]<ref name="abaw122p11"/>
;{{CIV}}
* [[Cote d'Ivoire Air Force]]<ref name="abaw122p10">{{harvnb|Simpson|2022|p=10}}</ref>
;{{DJI}}
* [[Djibouti Air Force|''Force Aérienne du Djibouti'']]<ref name="waf82p1366">{{Harvnb|Gaines|1982|p=1366}}</ref>
;{{GAB}}
* [[Gabonese Air Force]]<ref name="waf82p1372">{{Harvnb|Gaines|1982|p=1372}}</ref>
;{{MAD}}
* [[Malagasy Air Force]]<ref name="abaw122p10"/>
;{{MLI}}
* [[Malian Air Force]]<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert|Hinz|Lepko|2011|page=41}}</ref>
;{{MRT}}
* [[Mauritania Islamic Air Force]]<ref name="waf82p1364">{{Harvnb|Gaines|1982|p=1364}}</ref>
;{{MAR}}
* [[Royal Moroccan Air Force]]<ref>{{harvnb|''Air International'' November 1985|pp=229, 231}}</ref>
;{{NIG}}
* [[Niger Air Force]]<ref name="abaw122p10"/>
;{{POR}}
* [[Portuguese Air Force]]<ref>{{Harvnb|Lopes|1998|pp=41–42}}</ref>
;{{SEN}}
* [[Senegalese Air Force]]<ref name="abaw122p10"/>
;{{TOG}}
* [[Togolese Armed Forces#Air Force|''Armée de l'Air Togolaise'']]<ref name="waf82p1365">{{Harvnb|Gaines|1982|p=1365}}</ref>
;{{Flag|Upper Volta}}
* ''Force Aérienne de Haute-Volta''<ref name="waf82p1365"/>

===Civil operators===
;{{FRA}}
*[[Securite Civile]]

==Surviving aircraft==
[[File:Max Holste MH-1521M Broussard F-GIBN OTT 2013 01.jpg|thumb|MH-1521M Broussard ''F-GIBN'' flying at ''Oldtimer Fliegertreffen Hahnweide'' in 2013.]]
*CEV-05 (s/n 05) oldest existing MH-1521, previously preserved at [[Melun]], France, exported to Canada. Now in the UK as G-CLLK.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Les Broussard survivants - Max Holste MH-1521 Broussard - MH-1521.fr |url=http://www.mh-1521.fr/index.php?part=16 |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=www.mh-1521.fr}}</ref>
*N98BF (s/n P007) stored at [[Kankakee, IL]], USA.
*N345ZB (s/n P010, originally call sign ZB of ELO 3/45) flying in Orange, MA, USA.
*N811MH (s/n 011) is located in [[Elbert County, Colorado|Elbert]], Colorado.
Unknown (s/n 163) is located at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo Michigan. On outdoor display marked as 13-TB.
*'F-RHDB' (s/n 015) stored in private terrain, previously preserved at the Aviation Museum in Mas Palegry, France.
*F-GIBF (s/n 5) on display at [[Orange-Caritat Air Base|Orange Air Base]] Museum, [[Orange, Vaucluse|Orange]], France.
*''HB-RSL'' (s/n 6) was stationed in [[Kappelen|Biel-Kappelen]], Switzerland and in flying condition but was destroyed in a hangar fire on July 3, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Max Holste MH-1521-C1 "Le Broussard" s/n 6 |url=http://www.broussard.ch |access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref>
*F-BOHP (s/n 10) is located in [[Lunéville]], France.<ref name=":0" />
*'F-SCAA' (s/n 11) is stored at [[Bordeaux]], France.
*F-GJBF (s/n 13) is located in [[Reims]], France, this aircraft was used for filming [[Belle and Sebastian (film)|Belle and Sebastian 2]] (2015).<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Un avion d’époque convoyé jusqu’au lac Genin pour le film B&S2 |url=http://belle-et-sebastien.e-monsite.com/actualite/les-films/belle-et-sebastien-l-aventure-continue-film/tournage/un-avion-d-epoque-convoye-jusqu-au-lac-genin-pour-le-film-b-s2.html |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=belle-et-sebastien.e-monsite.com |language=fr}}</ref>
*'F-RHDA' (s/n 18) stored at the [[Musée de l'air et de l'espace|Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace]] in [[Le Bourget]], France.
*G-CBGL (s/n 19) is located at [[Bruntingthorpe]], United Kingdom.
*LV-X769 (s/n 20) is registered as an experimental aircraft in Argentina. It's in flying conditions as of March 2024.
*N4022 (s/n 22) US FAA registered to a German company but operating in California as of Oct 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=FAA REGISTRY N-Number Inquiry |url=https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=4022 |access-date=11 October 2018 |publisher=FAA}}</ref>
*'F-SCCB' (s/n 24) previously preserved as gate guard at [[Valence, Drôme|Valence]], France, dismantled & offered for sale as restoration project.
*F-GGKH (s/n 32) is located in [[Pithiviers]], France.<ref name=":0" />
*F-GJLT (s/n 44C) Restoration work had begun but was halted because the fuselage was in such poor condition that it is now on display to the public during open days in [[Limoges]] (Town), France.
*F-GFMN (s/n 86) is located in [[Limoges]] (Airport), France.<ref name=":0" />
*F-GHFG (s/n 104) is located in [[Montceau-les-Mines]], France.<ref name=":0" />
*F-GKJT (s/n 106) is located in [[Maconge]], France.<ref name=":0" />
*F-BNEX (s/n 108) is located at [[Lelystad]], Netherlands with french registration.
*N118MH (s/n 118) is registered in [[Caldwell, Idaho|Caldwell]], Idaho, USA in flying condition.<ref>{{cite web |title=AVIONS MAX HOLSTE MH 1521 BROUSSARD Serial number 118 |url=https://flightaware.com/resources/registration/N118MH |access-date=July 12, 2022}}</ref>
*F-GGGK (s/n 127) under restoration in Lituania.
*G-HOUR (s/n 149) Owned by [[Bremont]], United Kingdom.
*'F-UHKE' (s/n 156), is stored in private terrain in France, previously preserved at [[Noyant]], France as gate guardian.
*''G-YYYY'' (s/n 208) flies from [[Eggesford]], [[UK]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=1960 Max Holste MH-1521C-1 Broussard C/N 208 |url=http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/G-YYYY.html |access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref>
*N246MH 1960 (s/n 246) is located in [[Friendswood, Texas|Friendswood]], Texas, USA and in flying condition.<ref>{{cite web |title=960 AVIONS MAX HOLSTE MH 1521 BROUSSARD Serial number 246 |url=https://flightaware.com/resources/registration/N246MH |access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref>
*''N261BN'' (s/n 261) is located in [[Lake Stevens, Washington|Lake Stevens]], Washington, USA in flying condition.<ref>{{cite web |title=N-Number Inquiry Results |url=https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult |access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref>
*F-GJJM (s/n 292) is located at [[Brasschaat]], Belgium with markings 35.17 and is for sale.
*OY-SLV (s/n 303) is located in [[Tarm]], Denmark and in flying condition.
*The [[Museu do Ar|Portuguese National Aviation Museum]] has one on display at their Sintra site, and two more in storage.

== Specifications (MH.1521M) ==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59'' <ref name=JAWA58-59>{{Harvnb|Bridgman|1958|p=158}}</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1-2
|capacity=4-5 passengers
|length m=8.65
|length note=
|span m=13.75
|span note=
|height m=3.67
|height note=
|wing area sqm=25.2
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=7.5
|airfoil=[[NACA airfoil|NACA 4413]]
|empty weight kg=1650
|empty weight note=equipped
|gross weight kg=2700
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1]]
|eng1 type=9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
|eng1 kw=336
|eng1 note=
|more power=

|prop blade number=2
|prop name=[[Hamilton Standard]] 2.D.30 constant-speed propeller
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=259
|max speed note=at {{cvt|1000|m}}
|cruise speed kmh=228
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=92.6
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|minimum control speed note=
|range km=
|range note=
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ftmin=785
|climb rate note=at sea level
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading note=
|disk loading kg/m2=
|disk loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=
*'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt|200|m}}
*'''Take-off distance to {{cvt|20|m|0}}:''' {{cvt|400|m}}
*'''Landing distance from {{cvt|20|m|0}}:''' {{cvt|400|m}}

|avionics=
}}

== See also ==
{{aircontent
<!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. -->
|see also=
|related=<!-- related developments -->
|similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft -->
* [[De Havilland Canada Beaver]]
|lists=<!-- related lists -->
}}

== References ==

===Notes===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last=Bridgman |first= Leonard R. V. |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1952–53 |year=1952 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd. |location=London }}
* {{cite book |last=Bridgman |first= Leonard R. V. |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1953–54 |year=1953 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd. |location=London }}
* {{cite book |last=Bridgman |first=Leonard |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958–59 |year=1958 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd.  |location=London }}
* {{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |last2=Weinert |first2=Peter |last3=Hinz |first3=Fabian |last4=Lepko |first4=Mark |title=African MiGs, Volume 2: Madagascar to Zimbabwe |date=2011 |publisher=Harpia Publishing |location=Houston |isbn=978-0-9825539-8-5}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Gaines |first=Mike |title=World Air Forces 1982 |magazine=[[Flight International]] |date=6 November 1982 |volume=122 |issue=3835 |pages=1327–1388 |issn=0015-3710 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1982/1982%20-%202495.html |access-date=18 March 2019 }}
* {{cite magazine |last=Lopes |first=Mãrio Canongia |title=High-Winged Workhorses: Broussards and Dorniers in Portuguese Service |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |issue=75|date=May–June 1998|pages=41–45|issn=0143-5450 }}
* {{cite magazine |last=Mormillo |first=Frank B. |title=Alan's Colonial Warrior: A Broussard in the USA |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |issue= 94 |date=July–August 2001 |issn=0143-5450 |pages=60–61 }}
* {{cite book |last=Simpson |first= R.W.|title= Airlife's General Aviation|year= 1991|publisher= Airlife Publishing|location= England |isbn=1-85310-194-X|pages=176}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Simpson |first=Rob |title=France's Bushplane: The Max Holste Broussard |magazine=Air-Britain Aviation World |date=Spring 2022 |pages=7–11 |issn=1742-996X}}
* {{cite book |last=Taylor |first= John W. R. |author-link=John W. R. Taylor |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1961–62 |year=1961 |publisher= Sampson Low, Marston & Company Ltd. |location=London }}
* {{cite book |last=Taylor |first= John W. R. |author-link=John W. R. Taylor |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962–63 |year=1962 |publisher= Sampson Low, Marston & Company Ltd. |location=London }}
* {{cite book |last= Taylor |first= Michael J. H. |title=Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation |year=1989 |publisher=Studio Editions |location=London }}
* {{cite book |title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985)|publisher= Orbis Publishing|pages=2436}}
* {{cite magazine|title=The Royal Moroccan Air Force...A Seasoned Air Arm |magazine=[[Air International]] |date=November 1985 |volume=29 |issue=5 |pages=226–232, 250–252 |issn=0306-5634 |ref={{harvid|''Air International'' November 1985}}}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.airport-data.com/search/search2.html?field=model&search=Search&code=Max+Holste+MH.1521M+Broussard Max Holste MH.1521 Broussard] – surviving aircraft

{{Max Holste aircraft}}

[[Category:1950s French military utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Max Holste aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1952]]
[[Category:Twin-tail aircraft]]