Moskalyev SAM-6

The Moskalyev SAM-6 was an experimental design intended to test the suitability of monowheel undercarriages, lighter than conventional gear, on tailless aircraft.

SAM-6
Role experimental
National origin USSR
Manufacturer GAZ-18, Voronezh
Designer Aleksandr Sergeyevitch Moskalyev
First flight early 1934
Number built 1

Design

The wooden SAM-6 had a conventional tail on its short fuselage but its low wing had, in addition, Scheibe-type, oval wingtip fins and rudders. Sprung skids on their underside provided the lateral stability that its central undercarriage did not.[1]

It was powered by a 65 hp (48 kW), three cylinder M-23 radial engine mounted in the pointed nose of its deep fuselage and had a single seat, open cockpit.[1]

Development

For its first flight, made in early 1934, the SAM-6 had a long, non-retracting central ski rather than a wheel, and tail ski rather than a skid, both mounted on vertical shock-absorbing struts. The trials were reasonably successful and the main ski was replaced by a wheel in a trouser fairing. No reports from tests with this landing gear are known but by late 1934 the SAM-6 had been modified into the more conventional SAM-6bis, which had two fixed, trousered mainwheels. It also had a second, tandem seat in an enclosed, instrumented cockpit.[1]

Variants

SAM-6
Original configuration with central mono-skid/wheel main gear. Single-seater with open cockpit.
SAM-6bis
Conventional, twin mainwheel gear and a second seat in enclosed cockpit.

Specifications

Data from Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875-1995[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in)
  • Wingspan: 8.0 m (26 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 12 m2 (130 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 380 kg (838 lb)
  • Gross weight: 500 kg (1,102 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × M-23 3-cylinder radial, 48 kW (65 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 130 km/h (81 mph, 70 kn)
  • Range: 200 km (120 mi, 110 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
  • Landing speed: 55 km/h (34 mph; 30 kn)

References

  1. Gunston, Bill (1995). The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875-1995. London: Osprey (Reed Consumer Books Ltd). p. XXI, 251-2. ISBN 1 85532 405 9.
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