| XL-14 Maya | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Experimental aircraft |
| National origin | Republic of the Philippines |
| Manufacturer | Institute of Science and Technology, Manila |
| Designer | Antonio J. de Leon |
| First flight | early 1950s |
| Number built | 1 |
The I.S.T. XL-14 Maya was a single-engine, light experimental aircraft designed and built in the Republic of the Philippines in the early 1950s to investigate the use of indigenous materials in aircraft construction. Its construction uses a type of woven bamboo. [1]
In the early 1950s in the Republic of the Philippines, the Institute of Science and Technology (I.S.T., previously known as the Bureau of Science) designed at least three different prototypes, both to investigate the scope for local aircraft design and production and to examine the use of indigenous materials in their construction. One such material of interest was Wobex (Woven bamboo experimental), a reinforced woven bamboo. [1] [2]
The XL-14 Maya (until 1995 the maya was the national bird of the Philippines) was the first of this series of prototypes. It was a single-engine, high-wing monoplane of standard layout except for its twin tail. The wing had constant chord and was built around two parallel, solid spars and wooden ribs. The leading edges were covered and reinforced with Wobex and the rest of the wing was fabric covered. The centre section was integral with the cabin top and the outer wings were braced on each side with V struts from the wing spars to the lower fuselage. Ailerons and slotted flaps were fitted. It had a strut braced tailplane, set slightly above the fuselage top on a short pylon. The tailplane carried almost rectangular endplate fins and rudders. The tail structure was wooden with fabric covering. [1]
The Maya had a semi-monocoque fuselage with wooden stringers and Wobex mat covering. The cabin stood above the rear fuselage line, enclosing side-by-side seats with a third, occasional seat, or luggage space, behind. In front a 75 kW (100 hp) Lycoming flat four engine, with cylinder-heads exposed, drove a two blade propeller. It had a conventional undercarriage, with each mainwheel mounted on V-struts and half axles hinged to the fuselage central underside via rubber shock absorbers. The fixed tailwheel was steerable. [1]
The date of the Maya's first flight is not known, though the aircraft was complete by May 1955 [2] and a later design, the XL-15 Tagak was being flight tested by October 1954. [1] Only one Maya was built, for although it was described as being suitable for agricultural use and for utility and observation work, its function was always as a constructional material experimental aircraft. [1]
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1956/7 [1]
General characteristics
Performance
The Hunting H.126 was an experimental aircraft designed and built by British aviation company Hunting Aircraft.
The Gloster TC.33 was a large four-engined biplane designed for troop carrying and medical evacuation in the early 1930s. Only one was built.
The Parnall Parasol was an experimental parasol winged aircraft design to measure the aerodynamic forces on wings in flight. Two were built and flown in the early 1930s in the UK.
The Polyt V is a single-engined, single-seat glider tug designed and built by graduates and students of the Technical University of Denmark. Only one was constructed but it has had a long active life.
The B&F Fk12 Comet, also called the FK-Lightplanes FK12 Comet, is a single-engine, two-seat sports biplane designed in Germany. First flown in 1999, it was available as a kit or complete and ready-to-fly.
The I.S.T. XL-15 Tagak was a single-engine, twin-boom, high-wing monoplane designed after the I.S.T. XL-14 Maya and built in the Philippines in the mid-1950s. The result of a collaboration between a Government research institute and the Philippine Air Force, it was designed as a utility, liaison or ambulance aircraft and as a test bed for the use of local materials in aviation.
The Aydlett A-1 was a one-off, homebuilt aircraft constructed in the US in the 1960s. It was a single seat, single engine monoplane of conventional appearance, with an enclosed cockpit.
The Praga E-40 was a single engine, two seat, biplane basic trainer, built in Czechoslovakia in the mid-1930s.
The Timm T-840 was a twin engine, high wing passenger aircraft designed and flown in the United States in 1938. Equipped with a tricycle undercarriage and low speed aerodynamic devices, it could be configured to carry between six and ten passengers. Only one was built.
The Ellison-Mahon Gweduck is a modern, twin engine amphibious aircraft, built from composites and closely resembling the Grumman Widgeon. It was designed and is built in the United States and was first flown in 2009.
The Tachihi R-53 was amongst the first aircraft built in Japan after the relaxation of the ban imposed at the end of World War II. It is a parasol-wing, two seat, training aircraft powered by a British engine. Only one was produced.
The SNCAC NC.510 was a twin-engine French reconnaissance, army co-operation or advanced training aircraft, built in the late 1930s. Three were built and refined but production orders were not forthcoming.
The MMPL Kanpur was an Indian light four-seat aircraft, designed for service and agricultural work in the early 1960s. It is a rare example of an aircraft designed and built by a national air force for its own use.
The Müller G.M.G. II was a German single engine, tandem seat sports monoplane from 1928. Its high wing was unusually mounted.
The Caudron C.140 was a French tandem cockpit sesquiplane designed in 1928 as a combination of liaison aircraft and observer and gunnery trainer.
The Caproni Ca.95 was a large, three engine, long range, heavy bomber prototype built in Italy in 1929. It could carry a 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) bomb load and had three defensive gun positions. Only one was built.
The Caproni Ca.66 was an Italian night bomber designed to reequip the post-World War I Italian Air Force. Only two examples of the four-engined biplane were built.
The Laros-100 is a Russian light aircraft specifically designed for aerobatics flying.
The Zeppelin-Lindau Gs.I, often known post-WWI as the Dornier Gs.I after its designer Claude Dornier, was a civil flying boat developed immediate post-war from a military prototype. Its passenger cabin seated six. Only one was completed, and that was eventually scuttled to keep it out of Allied hands. Another of the military prototypes was intended to have a bigger, nine seat cabin and other refinements but the Gs.II was incomplete when discovered by Allied inspectors.
The Hiro H3H1 or Navy Type 90-1 Flying boat was a Japanese flying boat bomber built in 1931. It was the first large all-metal aircraft built in Japan. Only one was completed.