Stampe-Vertongen SV-4 — Archival Documentation Collection
The Stampe-Vertongen SV-4 is one of the most celebrated training and aerobatic biplanes of the twentieth century. Designed in Belgium in the 1930s and adopted by the French Armée de l'Air as a primary trainer, the SV-4 earned a lasting reputation for its exceptionally light, harmonious handling — a quality that made it the mount of choice for generations of military pilots and aerobatic champions alike.
This collection assembles 20 primary-source archival documents covering the SV-4A, SV-4B, SV-4C, and SV-4C(G) variants, together with the complete surviving French military documentation set for the Renault 4P engine series. Sources span factory, military, civil aviation authority, and operational maintenance origins across four languages: French, English, German, and bilingual editions.
Document Manifest — 20 Archival Documents
I. Airframe — Pilot's Operating Handbooks & Flight Manuals
| # | Document Title | Language | Publisher / Authority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notice d'Utilisation — Stampe | French | Stampe-Vertongen (original factory) | Original factory pilot's operating handbook; hand-lettered period cover |
| 2 | Stampe SV4.C — Renault Engined — Operating Manual | English | Post-war operational compilation | English-language operating manual for the Renault-engined SV-4C variant |
| 3 | Pilot's Notes — SV 4B (EPE-EVS) | English | EPE-EVS (Belgian military) | Official Belgian military pilot's notes for the SV-4B variant |
| 4 | SV-4B — Pilotage | French | French military / training authority | SV-4B specific pilotage and handling document |
| 5 | SV-4A — Betrieb / Pilot's Operating Manual | German / English | Unknown operational authority | Bilingual operations document for the SV-4A variant |
| 6 | Avis Élève Pilote SV4 — Ancienne Documentation | French | French military training authority | Student pilot advisory document from the older documentation series |
| 7 | Notice — Stampe Saint-Yan | French | École de l'Air / Centre d'Instruction, Saint-Yan | Operational notice from the Saint-Yan training centre |
II. Airframe — Technical Notices & Maintenance
| # | Document Title | Language | Publisher / Authority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 & 9 | Notice Technique pour Avions Stampe SV-4C et SV-4B — à moteur Renault 4P01 ou à moteur de Havilland type Gipsy | French | Service du Matériel de l'Armée de l'Air — Classification N.C.E. 52 | Two surviving physical copies: one clean (black cover) and one field-worn original. Approved D.M. No. 39.586 STA/A2, 2 September 1947 — Édition Juin 1948 — print run 820 copies |
| 10 | Notes on Stampe Aircraft SV4C — Personal Plane Service, Ltd. | English | Personal Plane Service, Ltd. — Wycombe Air Park, Marlow, Bucks | Operational and servicing notes compiled from Fiche de Navigabilité No. 6 and S.G.A.C. Bulletins; includes propeller data and C of G limits |
| 11 | Tiger Club — Stampe SV-4 Aerobatics Notes | English | The Tiger Club, Redhill Aerodrome, England | Aerobatics notes incl. inverted system procedure, manoeuvre entry speeds, structural limits. Annotated “Gipsy Only” on inverted section |
III. Airframe — Parts Catalogues
| # | Document Title | Language | Publisher / Authority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Stampe SV-4 — Parts Catalogue (S-2) | English / French | Post-war compilation | Illustrated parts catalogue, SV-4 series |
| 13 | SV-4 — Illustrated Parts Catalogue (IPC) | English | Unknown | Separate standalone IPC document |
IV. Airworthiness & Type Certificate
| # | Document Title | Language | Publisher / Authority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | CAP 474 Vol. III — Airworthiness Directives (Full Details) | English | UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) | Full AD details applicable to the Stampe type; includes DGAC modifications P-1267, P-1268, P-1269 |
| 15 | BCAA Type-Certificate Data Sheet — BCAA.A.02 — SV 4 Series | English | Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) | Issue 01, 30 September 2016. Covers models: SV 4A, SV 4B, SV 4C/C1, SV 4D, SV 4L 150, SV 4E. 28 pages |
V. Renault 4P Engine — French Military Technical Manual Set
Volumes 16–20 approved under D.M. N° 32.036 STA/Mo, 17 February 1947 — Édition 1948 — 750 copies — Ministère de l'Air, Service du Matériel, Classification N.B.C. 35.
| # | Document Title | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 & 17 | Notice Technique pour Moteur Renault 4P — Tome I (General) | French | Two surviving physical copies: one clean (Aéro-Club des I.P.S.A. stamp, Paris 8e) and one field-worn original |
| 18 | Notice Technique pour Moteur Renault 4P — Tome I, Fascicule 2 — Description | French | Engine description volume |
| 19 | Notice Technique pour Moteur Renault 4P — Tome II, Fascicule 3 — Utilisation et Entretien | French | Engine operation and maintenance volume |
| 20 | Notice Technique pour Moteur Renault 4P — Tome II, Fascicule 4 — Démontage, Montage et Réparations | French | Engine disassembly, assembly and repair volume |
| + | Nomenclature Illustrée des Moteurs Renault 4P01 — 4P03 — 4P05 | French | Illustrated parts nomenclature covering all three 4P sub-variants. Classification A.B.C. 19 — Classification collective N° 150 — Service du Matériel de l'Armée de l'Air — Édition Mars 1949 — 600 copies |
Aerodynamic Profile
- Four-Aileron Authority: Highly effective ailerons on both upper and lower wing sets — superior roll response compared to the contemporary Tiger Moth.
- Low Wing Loading: 203 sq ft total wing surface area delivers a resilient structural lift profile and forgiving stall behaviour.
- Sweepback & Stagger: Mild wing sweepback combined with forward wing stagger maximises forward field of view and minimises stall turbulence.
Engine Variants Covered
- Renault 4P-01: Baseline inverted four-cylinder engine variant.
- Renault 4P-03: Standard 145 hp variant — primary powerplant for the SV-4C.
- Renault 4P-05: Dry-sump variant with dedicated valve and flexible venting system for sustained negative-G aerobatics.
- De Havilland Gipsy Major 10 (SV-4C(G)): Post-war conversion variant documented following scarcity of Renault spares.
Handling & Stability Data
- Stall Characteristics: Benign aerodynamic buffet with straight-ahead sinking — no aggressive wing drop.
- Centre of Gravity Limits (SV-4C at 1,700 lbs): Forward boundary 36% MAC — Aft limit 19.5 inches.
- Crosswind Handling: Large vertical profile and fully castoring tailwheel require careful rudder authority and independent toe-braking on paved surfaces.
Performance Data — At 1,700 lbs MTOW
| Metric | Specification |
|---|---|
| Never Exceed Speed (VNE) | 171 mph |
| Maximum Level Speed | 125 mph / 148 knots |
| Best Climbing Speed | 60–65 mph (~600 ft/min) |
| Fuel Burn at 2,400 RPM | 11.4 GPH |
| Take-off Run | ~410 ft (surface dependent) |
| Wing Span | 27 ft |
| Wing Area | 203 sq ft |
Airworthiness Directives & DGAC Modifications
- DGAC Modification P-1267: Structural reinforcement — steel protective sleeve over rudder pedal stem rods.
- DGAC Modification P-1268: Throttle linkage security — factory brazed pins replaced with positive split-collar alternatives.
- DGAC Modification P-1269: Oil delivery upgrade — flexible venting hoses increased from 8 mm to 12 mm diameter, with calibrated pressure valve.
⚠️ Regulatory Notice: Under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13 and EASA Part-M, any mechanic performing maintenance on an active aircraft must use current, manufacturer-approved revision-controlled data. This archival document does not satisfy that requirement.
This is an archival, static-copy edition fixed at its original publication date. Intended for historical reference, flight simulation, museum restoration, and educational use only. Not approved for active airworthiness maintenance under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13, EASA Part-M, or equivalent international regulations. Operators of active aircraft must use current, revision-controlled publications from the Type Certificate holder or an authorised distributor.
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