The Maule M-5-210C Lunar Rocket is a high-wing, four-seated, single engine STOL piston aircraft with fixed landing gear monoplane designed and
built by the Maule Aircraft Company. The Maule M-5 was introduced as a further development of the earlier Maule M-4 with improved STOL
performance. It had a 30% increase in flap area; a larger, swept-back fin and rudderand a greater CG range, gained by moving the 27-pound
battery package 80 inches forward. Two prototypes were built for the tests prior type certification: the M-5-220C N40300, first flown on 1
November 1971 and the M-5-210C N51499, first flown on 16 October 1973. Aircraft with the C suffix in the model designation featured a cargo
door in the rear fuselage. The M-5 was later developed into the M-6 to M-9 series. On 28 December 1973, the M-5 was type-certificated and in
1974, the Maule M-5 was introduced in two versions: the M-5-210C and the M-5-220. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Maule M-5-210C Lunar Rocket is M5
the Maule M-5 Versions are
M-5-180C — Powered by a 180 hp O-360-C1F engine, it was the first production model. Prototype s/n 8001C N6262M; 94 were built (c/n 8001C to 8094C)
M-5-200 — Powered by a 200 hp Lycoming IO-360 engine, this variant did not enter production, the sole prototype was registered N5643T (c/n A8015C).
M-5-210C Strata Rocket: — Powered by a 210 hp Continental IO-360-A or IO-360-C1F engine. Prototype s/n 6001C N51449; 206 were built (c/n 6001C to 6206C).
M-5-210TC Lunar Rocket: — Based on the M-5–210C, but with a turbocharged 210 hp Continental TIO-360 engine. Prototype s/n 9001C N56294; ten were built (c/n 9001C to 9010C).
M-5-220C Lunar Rocket: — As the previous models, but with a 220 hp Franklin 6A-350-C1 engine. Prototype s/n 5001C N40300; 57 were built (c/n 5001C to 5057C).
M-5-235C Lunar Rocket: — Similar to the M-5-210 variants, but with the 235 hp Lycoming O-540-J1A5D or O-540-W1A5D engine, Prototype s/n 7001C 401X; 379 built (c/n 7001C to 7379C).
Patroller: — This name was sometimes used for M-5-210 or M-5-235 aircraft fitted with larger cabin windows and these aircraft were mainly used by police and semi-military operators.
The 1976-built Maule M-5-210C Lunar Rocket s/n 6156C was registered N346X in the USA. In the 1980s and 1990s the aircraft was registered with Save African
Endangered Wildlife Fund, New York. That years, the aircraft was operated in Africa. On 2 June 2006, Maule M-5-210C Lunar Rocket N346X was registyered with
E.S.Miserey, London, UK. On 8 September 2012, the aircraft was substantial damaged, when it veered off the runway during landing at Courchevel Altiport (LFLJ)
due to wind gust. The aircaft was repaired and returned in service. On 26 September 2019, the aircraft was registered with Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc.
Trustee, UK. A trust is an Anglo-Saxon legal. These Trustee's are “Insured fiduciaries". Legally there is no owner, but the Trustee became the owner. This
construction is often used for enabling non-US Citizens to obtain 'N'registration of aircraft with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for aircraft
operating principally outside the United States. On 11 August 2024, Maule M-5-210C Lunar Rocket N346X was seen at Flugplatz Leer-Papenburg (EDWF).
