Topics

46

Miscellaneous Subjects / Rohr 2-175

« on: October 14, 2021, 11:28:21 AM »

Burt Raynes, president of the aerospace company Rohr Industries, decided to enter the light aviation market in 1974. The famous designer Walter E. Mooney was invited to develop the first aircraft. The project received the designation 71X, but was later renamed 2-175. October 14, 1974 - the first flight of the Rohr 2-175 light aircraft.

Mooney designed a low-wing aircraft with a triangular wing and a non-retractable landing gear. The aircraft was made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic. The Lycoming engine (150 hp) rotated the pusher screw in the annular fairing. The name 2-175 meant that the plane had 2 seats for the pilot and passenger and its speed was 175 mph (281.63 km/h)

Rohr 2-175 performed well during test flights. But Roper Industries started having financial problems and the project had to be curtailed. We managed to build only 2 flying prototypes and 1 aircraft for ground testing. They (as well as all project documentation) were disposed of.

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Miscellaneous Subjects / Junkers Ju 52/1m

« on: October 13, 2021, 04:37:02 PM »

Junkers Luftverkehr Persian airline, which was part of Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke, in 1929 proposed to develop a new transport aircraft. The main requirements are the transportation of 2 tons of cargo at a distance of 800 km. The work on the Ju 52/1m project was started by a team of engineers led by Ernst Zindel. October 13, 1930 - the first flight of the Junkers Ju 52/1m transport aircraft.

It was an all-metal low-wing with a non-retractable landing gear (wheeled, ski and float) and a typical Junkers corrugated duralumin skin. It was equipped with a BMW VII engine (504 hp) Cruising speed - 165 km / h, flight range - 1500 km. Took on board 15 passengers or 2170 kg of cargo.

The Ju 52/1m was not particularly successful ? only 7 aircraft were built. The reason is banal ? one engine was not enough both in power and in terms of safety. Therefore, Zindel converted the Ju 52/1m into a three-engine aircraft. This is how the famous and much more successful Ju 52/3m appeared.

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Combat Warplanes / FMA Ae. MB.2

« on: October 09, 2021, 03:54:16 PM »

In 1932, the Argentine Army commissioned the Institute of Aeronautics in Cordoba to develop a light bomber. It was intended to replace the outdated French-made Breguet XIX. Fabrica Militar de Aviones (FMA) was to produce the new aircraft. It received the designation FMA Ae. MB.2 Bambi. October 9, 1935 - the first flight of the FMA Ae. MB.2 Bombi light bomber.

It was a low-wing of a mixed design (wooden wing + fuselage made of duralumin pipes + linen skin) with a non-retractable landing gear. It was equipped with a Wright SGR-1820-F3 Cyclone engine (715 hp) Maximum speed - 285 km/ h, flight range - 600 km. Armament ? 7.65 mm machine gun + 11.43 mm machine gun + up to 400 kg of bombs. The first variants were equipped with a turret of 2 ? 7.65 mm machine guns.

Tests have shown that Ae. MB.2 Bombi is inferior to foreign analogues. But it was still put into mass production. 15 bombers were released, which carried out reconnaissance and patrol missions in the Argentine Air Force.

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Miscellaneous Subjects / Aero 45

« on: October 08, 2021, 12:45:32 PM »

The Aero 45S "Super Aero" light aircraft stands in front of transport containers, in which its brethren are already packed in disassembled form. Czechoslovakia, 1959. It can be seen that the screws and wing consoles were removed from the aircraft for transportation, and the cockpit glazing was also closed. The inscription "Aeroflot" and used CCCP-92906 clearly indicate to us the recipient of the cargo - the USSR. According to the flight number, it was possible to find out that the planes in the photo went to the Kazakh SSR.

"Super Aero" differed from its predecessor with more advanced navigation equipment. The definition of "air taxi" was ideally suited to the entire Aero 45 line. These planes could fly at different times of the day and in difficult weather conditions. "45" indicates a capacity of 4-5 passengers in a spacious cabin. In addition to friends under the Warsaw Pact, Aero 45 were also delivered to Western countries - Italy and Switzerland.

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Miscellaneous Subjects / Langley Aerodrome A

« on: October 07, 2021, 09:09:39 PM »

Attempts at manned flight on an aircraft with an engine were made even before the flight of the Wright brothers' Flyer I. One of the closest to success was the inventor Samuel Langley, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. After successful flights of unguided models with a steam engine, in 1898 he received a grant from the US Army to develop a manned airplane. October 7 , 1903 - the first attempt to fly an airplane Langley Aerodrome A.

By 1903, Aerodrome A was built with tandem wings, a cruciform tail and a 52 hp Manly engine. A barge with a catapult was supposed to be used for takeoff.

Aerodrome was tested over the Potomac River under the control of engineer Charles Manly. Unfortunately, he crashed into the water immediately after takeoff. Manly was not injured and the plane was decided to be restored. The second attempt took place on December 8, 1903 and was also unsuccessful. And after 9 days, the Wright brothers flew.

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Combat Warplanes / Hawker Tornado

« on: October 06, 2021, 05:06:23 PM »

The Hawker Hurricane fighter has just been put into service, and Hawker Siddeley Aircraft has already begun work on its replacement. In parallel, 2 projects developed - N-type (Napier Sabre engine) and R-type (Rolls-Royce Vulture engine). The R-type fighter was designated Tornado. In the spring of 1938, the British Aviation Ministry ordered the construction of a prototype. October 6, 1939 - the first flight of the Hawker Tornado piston fighter.

The Tornado was a single-seat low-wing with a retractable landing gear. The first prototype was powered by a Rolls-Royce Vulture II engine (1,760 hp) with a maximum speed of 641 km/h and a flight range of 965 km. Armament ? 12 ? 7.7mm Browning machine guns or 4 ? 20 mm Hispano guns.

Although the preliminary tests ended successfully, but due to problems with the Tornado engine, it was never put into mass production. Only 4 prototypes were built, on which different engines were tested, and later propellers. The project was closed in 1942.

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Miscellaneous Subjects / SNCASE SE-2100

« on: October 04, 2021, 05:20:17 PM »

In 1944, the Soci?t? nationale des constructions aeronautiques du Sud-Est (SNCASE) began work on the project of a light two-seat aircraft SE.2100. The project was led by designer Pierre Satre? the future chief designer of the supersonic airliner A?rospatiale/BAC Concorde. October 4, 1945 - the first flight of the light aircraft SNCASE SE-2100 (aka Sud-Est SE-2100).

The SE.2100 was an all-metal low-wing tailless plane with a swept (55?) wing and a non-retractable landing gear. The Renault 4Pei engine (190 hp) rotated the pusher screw. Cruising speed ? 198 km / h. Flight range - 500 km.

In fact, the SE.2100 was an experimental aircraft for testing the "tailless" scheme. It was built in a single copy and was not planned to be put into mass production. After its first flight under the control of pilot Pierre Cadot, the SE.2100 was tested for several more years. After 1952, his traces are lost.

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Combat Warplanes / Lat?co?re 290

« on: October 03, 2021, 12:41:45 PM »

In 1927, Lat?co?re developed the successful Lat?co?re 28 mail plane. After 2 years, the company's designers decided to take it as the basis for the torpedo bomber project. The new aircraft received the designation Lat?co?re 290. On October 3, 1931, the first flight of the Lat?co?re 290 torpedo bomber took place.

Similar in design to its predecessor, the Lat?co?re 290 was a high-wing with a non-retractable landing gear (a wheeled chassis was installed at the factory, which was later changed to a float one). It was equipped with a Hispano-Suiza 12Nbr engine (650 hp) Maximum speed - 210 km / h, flight range - 700 km. The armament consisted of 3 ? 7.7 mm machine guns + 1 torpedo or 2 ? 150 kg bombs.

After successful tests, the Lat?co?re 290 began to enter the French Naval Aviation squadrons. 35 aircraft of the main modification + 3 experimental ones were produced, differing mainly in engines. Lat?co?re 290 operated until 1939.

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Miscellaneous Subjects / Junkers Ju 49

« on: October 02, 2021, 03:07:14 PM »

In 1928, the German Aviation Research Institute began research in the field of high-altitude flights. Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke has received an order to develop an experimental high-altitude aircraft. The project received the designation Ju 49. October 2, 1931 ? the first flight of the experimental high-altitude aircraft Junkers Ju 49.

The Ju 49 was an all-metal low-wing with a non-retractable landing gear. A special pressurized cabin with heating and small portholes, designed for 2 crew members, was installed inside the fuselage. The Junkers L88a engine specially designed for this aircraft (800 hp) allowed it to reach speeds of up to 146 km/h.

During its first flights, the Ju 49 was able to climb to an altitude of 6000 meters, 2 years later - to an altitude of 6000 m, in 1935 - to 12450 m. The experience gained was later used in the development of high-altitude bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. The only Ju 49 built crashed in October 1937.

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Combat Warplanes / Blackburn B-5 Baffin

« on: September 30, 2021, 03:11:36 PM »

In 1929, the Blackburn Ripon torpedo bomber began to arrive in the squadrons of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. It was equipped with an outdated Napier Lion engine, so after 3 years Blackburn Aircraft began working on updating this aircraft. Taking Ripon as a basis, the company developed a project for the B5 Baffin torpedo bomber. September 30, 1932 - the first flight of the Blackburn B-5 Baffin torpedo bomber.

The differences from Ripon were minimal. The B-5 was a two-seat biplane with a non-retractable landing gear. The Bristol Pegasus I. M3 radial engine (565 hp) allowed speeds up to 219 km/ h. The flight range was 790 km. The armament consisted of 2 ? 7.92 mm machine guns + 820 kg torpedo or 740 kg bombs.

After comparative tests, the B-5 Baffin was adopted. A total of 97 aircraft were produced, all versions. In addition to the British Navy, they were also in service with the New Zealand Air Force.

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Combat Warplanes / Antonov AN-74

« on: September 29, 2021, 08:46:08 PM »

In 1982, the Antonov Design Bureau began work on a specialized version of the AN-72 for use in the Arctic and Antarctic. The modified aircraft received the designation AN-72A ("Arctic"). A year later, the name of the project was officially changed to AN-74. September 29, 1983 - the first flight of the AN-74 transport aircraft.

Like its predecessor, the AN-74 was a high-wing aircraft with a T-shaped tail. 2 ? D-36 engines with a thrust of 63.7 kN are installed above the wing to increase lift due to the Coanda effect. It differed from the AN-72 with a more powerful auxiliary power plant, larger tanks, an anti-icing wing system, etc. It took on board up to 10 passengers or 5000 kg of cargo. Cruising speed - 700 km / h, flight range - 4150 km.

After successfully passing the tests, the AN-74 was put into serial production. 81 aircraft were produced (the last one was in 2013). More than 50 of them are currently in operation in Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, Iran, etc.

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Combat Warplanes / Avia B.35

« on: September 28, 2021, 01:53:44 PM »

In 1935, the Avia B biplane fighter entered service with the Czechoslovak Air Force.534. But it was already obvious that by the end of the 1930s it would become obsolete. Therefore, the Air Force published requirements for the development of a monoplane fighter to replace the B.534. Avia Company started working on the B. 35 project, which was headed by the designer Franti?ek Novotn?.

The B. 35 was an elegant low-wing aircraft with an elliptical wing and a non-retractable landing gear. It was equipped with a Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs engine (860 hp) Maximum speed-495 km/h, flight range-550 km. Armament ? 20-mm Hispano 404 cannon and 2 ? 7.92-mm vz machine gun.30. September 28, 1938-the first flight of the Avia B.35 piston fighter.

Despite the promising design and good flight characteristics, the B. 35 was not launched into mass production. Two prototypes were lost in accidents. The last B. 35/3, with a retractable landing gear, was built after the occupation of the country by Germany, and it became the prototype for the Avia B. 135 fighter.

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Combat Warplanes / Arsenal VG 90

« on: September 27, 2021, 09:19:05 PM »

Not wanting to keep up with global trends, the French Navy in 1946 announced a competition for the development of a jet carrier-based fighter. 3 companies took part in the competition. Arsenal de l'A?ronautique, based on its VG 70 prototype jet, presented the VG 90 project.

It was a single-seat high-wing aircraft with a retractable landing gear and a swept (25?) wing. The Rolls-Royce Nene 102 engine with a thrust of 22.2 kN allowed it to reach a speed of up to 855 km/h. The flight range was 1550 km. Armament ? 3 ? 30-mm guns + 2 ? 500-kg bombs. September 27, 1949-the first flight of the Arsenal VG 90 carrier-based fighter.

Tests revealed problems of the aircraft ? with air intakes, with ailerons, poor visibility during landing, etc.They were partially eliminated. But, unfortunately, both built Arsenal VG 90 prototypes crashed during test flights. In 1952, the project was closed. The third prototype was never completed.

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Combat Warplanes / Yak-38 / Як-38

« on: September 22, 2021, 06:34:44 PM »

Although the first vertical take ? off and landing (GDP) aircraft in the USSR-the Yak-36 deck attack aircraft-did not go into mass production, it gave invaluable experience. This allowed the Yakovlev Design Bureau to continue working on similar projects. In 1967, the development of a new VTOL deck attack aircraft Yak-36M was started, which would later receive the designation Yak-38. On September 22, 1970, the first flight of the Yak? 38 deck attack aircraft was launched.

It was a medium-sized plane with a retractable landing gear. Combined power plant ? 1 ? lifting and marching engine R27V-300 with a thrust of 59 kN and 2 ? lifting engines RD-36-35FVR with a thrust of 29 kN. The maximum speed is 1210 km / h, the combat radius is 195 km. Armament ? up to 1500 kg of bombs/missiles on 4 suspension points.

Despite a number of disadvantages? a short flight range, the absence of an on-board radar, etc., the Yak-38 was adopted and put into mass production. It became the second GDP aircraft in the world, after the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, adopted into service. 231 Yak-38 attack aircraft were built.

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Miscellaneous Subjects / PL.7 Tanker

« on: September 21, 2021, 11:11:37 PM »

Kingsford Smith Air Service was founded in 1946 and was engaged in the sale and maintenance of light aircraft. In 1955, she decided on an independent project. Under the leadership of Luigi Pellarini, the PL.7 Tanker agricultural aircraft was developed.

PL.7 was a biplane with a double-girder tail and a non-retractable landing gear. In fact, it was a large steel tank for chemicals, to which the wings, cabin and engine of the Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah X (400 hp) were attached. Cruising speed-180 km / h. On September 21, 1956, the first flight of the agricultural aircraft Kingsford Smith PL. 7 Tanker, Australia.

During the tests, the aircraft showed good flight characteristics. But potential customers were not interested in it. The only PL.7 Tanker built was damaged in a fire in 1962 and was soon dismantled. The experience gained by Luigi Pellarini was later applied in the development of the Bennett PL. 11 Airtruck and the Transavia PL-12 Airtruck.