VEF I-14
(Redirected from Irbītis I-14)
| I-14 | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | trainer |
| National origin | Latvia |
| Manufacturer | VEF |
| Status | Prototype destroyed |
| Number built | one |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1937 |
| First flight | 19 November 1937 |
The VEF I-14 was a Latvian Air Force trainer aircraft prototype, built by VEF.
Design and development
[edit]Kārlis Irbītis began work on the I-14 in 1936 in response to an order placed by the Latvian Air Force for a new trainer aircraft. Taking inspiration from the British Miles aircraft, the I-14 was a low-wing monoplane with fixed, conventional landing gear. The single pilot sat in an enclosed cockpit. It was powered by a 200 hp Menasco B6S Buccaneer.[1][2]
Operational history
[edit]The I-14 made its maiden flight on 19 November 1937. On 23 April 1938, the aircraft was destroyed in a crash, its pilot, Bandenieks, was unhurt.[1] Development of the I-14 was abandoned in favor of the more advanced VEF I-15.[2]
Specifications (I-14)
[edit]General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 7.3 m (23 ft 11 in)
- Wingspan: 8 m (26 ft 3 in)
- Height: 2 m (6 ft 7 in)
- Empty weight: 410 kg (904 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 665 kg (1,466 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Menasco B6S Buccaneer air-cooled inline engine, 150 kW (200 hp)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "VEF Irbitis I-14". latvianaviation.com. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ^ a b c "VEF Irbitis I-14 Учебно-тренировочный истребитель". aviArmor (in Russian). 2 September 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2020.