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 | |
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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
- 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.