La Mouette Topless

Topless
Role	Hang glider
National origin	France
Manufacturer	La Mouette
Introduction	1995
Status	Production completed

The La Mouette Topless is a French single-place, hang glider that was designed and produced by La Mouette. ^[1]

Design and development

The Topless was introduced in 1995 and was the first commercially produced modern hang glider without a kingpost and upper flying wires. Intended as a competition glider, it was based on the development work of Christof Krazner. ^{[1] [2]}

The aircraft is made from aluminum tubing, with the wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. It was built in three different sizes, designated by their metric wing areas and all with a nose angle of 132°. ^[1]

Variants

Topless 11

Small-size model for lighter pilots. Its 9.84 m (32.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 11 m² (120 sq ft) and an aspect ratio of 8.8:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 40 to 60 kg (88 to 132 lb). ^[1]

Topless 12.8

Medium-size model for mid-weight pilots. Its 10.12 m (33.2 ft) span wing has a wing area of 12.8 m² (138 sq ft) and an aspect ratio of 8.0:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 50 to 75 kg (110 to 165 lb). ^[1]

Topless 13.5

Large-size model for heavier pilots. Its 10.12 m (33.2 ft) span wing has a wing area of 13.5 m² (145 sq ft) and an aspect ratio of 7.5:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 60 to 92 kg (132 to 203 lb). ^[1]

Specifications (Topless 12.8)

Data from Bertrand ^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Wingspan: 10.12 m (33 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 12.8 m² (138 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 8:1

References

1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 46. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
2. La Mouette (n.d.). "Begins". Archived from the original on 25 August 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2012.

External links

• Photo of a Topless Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine