Pander S-4 Postjager

The S-4 was designed as a fast mailplane for the service between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies. It was a three-seat low-wing monoplane powered by three 420 hp (313 kW) Wright Whirlwind radial engines. It had a conventional retractable landing gear with a tailwheel.[1] The S-4, registered PH-OST, first flew on 6 October 1933.[1]

In December 1933 it flew a mail flight to Batavia. In 1934 the S-4 was entered into the MacRobertson Air Race between London and Melbourne. It left Mildenhall in England on 20 October 1934 and after 36 hours arrived at Allahabad, India. The aircraft was delayed when the landing gear was badly damaged on arrival at Allahabad.[2][3] It was ready to leave on 26 October but while taxiing for departure it hit a motor car and burst into flames and was destroyed; the crew jumped out and escaped injury.[1][2][3]

Data from Flight 5 October 1933, The "Aerial Phost",[4] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1934,[5] Pander S.4 Postjager Trimotor Mailplane[3]

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Capacity: 500 kg
• Length: 12.5 m (41 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 16.6 m (54 ft 6 in)
• Height: 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 44.98 m² (484.2 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 3,025 kg (6,669 lb)
• Gross weight: 5,500 kg (12,125 lb)
• Fuel capacity: Fuel:2,100 L (550 US gal; 460 imp gal); Oil:130 L (34 US gal; 29 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 3 × Wright Whirlwind 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, 310 kW (420 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 370 km/h (230 mph, 200 kn)
• Cruise speed: 300 km/h (190 mph, 160 kn) *Landing speed: 95–100 km/h (59–62 mph; 51–54 kn) Flaps down
• Range: 2,430 km (1,510 mi, 1,310 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 5,400 m (17,700 ft)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pander S-4 Postjäger.

• Hazewinkel, H. J. (July 1971). "Pander "Postjager"". Le album de fanatique de l'Aviation (in French) (24): 7–9. ISSN 0757-4169.
• "Some Head-On Contrasts Among the Australia Race Entries". Flight. No. 18 October 1934. pp. 1082–1083.