Hurel-Dubois

The Hurel-Dubois Aircraft Company was founded in 1947 in the heights of Meudon (Hauts-de-Seine, near Paris). Its purpose was to promote the concepts of engineer Maurice Hurel (1896–1982), a strong advocate for high-aspect-ratio wings. He found a sympathetic investor in Léon-Joseph Dubois (1890–1966).

The HD-10 demonstrator took its first flight in 1948, piloted by Maurice Hurel himself. Once the validity of the design was confirmed—particularly in low-speed, low-angle flights—the manufacturer embarked on more ambitious projects. A jet-powered design (HD-45) was even proposed as a competitor to the famous Caravelle.

Hurel-Dubois aircraft did not achieve the expected commercial success. Only two HD-32 twin-engine planes and a small batch of eight HD-34s (for the IGN, France’s national geographic institute) were assembled.

The unusual appearance of the high-aspect-ratio wings earned these aircraft the nickname "flying paper cutters."

However, the Meudon-based company established itself as a major subcontractor in the French aeronautics industry (nacelles, aerostructures, etc.). For nearly half a century, it carved out a niche in this sector before being acquired by Snecma in 2000. Shortly afterward, the new owner renamed it Hurel-Hispano, then Aircelle in 2005. It has since become Safran Nacelles.

Source: Wikipedia