Messerschmitt M 17

Last updated
M 17
Messerschmitt M17 Deutsches 16.7.08R.jpg
Messerschmitt M17 in the Deutsches Museum, Munich
General information
TypeSports plane
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Flugzeugbau Messerschmitt Bamberg
Designer
Primary user Germany
Number built8
History
Introduction date1925
First flightJanuary 1925

The M 17 was a German single-engine high-wing sports monoplane. It was designed by Willy Messerschmitt in 1925 in Bamberg. This aircraft won many competitions and allowed Willy Messerschmitt to build his first factory.

Contents

Messerschmitt M 17 Messerschmitt Foundation replica Messerschmitt M17.jpg
Messerschmitt M 17 Messerschmitt Foundation replica
Messerschmitt M 17 replica in flight

Development

The design of the M 17 could be traced back via the powered S 16 and S 15 aircraft to the Messerschmitt-Hirth S 14 glider. [1] The aircraft was a two-seater almost completely made of wood and weighed only 198 kg (437 lb). The engine was a 22 kW (29 hp) Bristol Cherub II. The pilot had no forward visibility.

In September 1926, pilot Eberhard von Conta, and the writer Werner von Langsdorff flew in an M 17 from Bamberg to Rome. This marked the first time the central Alps were crossed with a light aircraft. The flight lasted more than 14 hours and they had to refuel every three hours, since the tank could hold only 28 L (7 US gal). They reached an altitude of 4,500 m (14,760 ft).

Survivors/Replicas

Only one of the six-eight machines built survived and is today in the Deutsches Museum in Munich. [2]

A replica was built by the Messerschmitt Foundation (first flight April 14, 2004) and makes regular appearances at the International Aerospace Exhibition in Berlin. It weighs 40 kg (90 lb) more than the original due to additional equipment (radio and rescue system) and is now at the Manching Aviation Museum in Ingolstadt, Bavaria.

Specifications

Data from [1]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. 1 2 Smith, J. Richard (1971). Messerschmitt: an aircraft album. London: Allan. ISBN   978-0-7110-0224-1.
  2. "Deutsches Museum". Archived from the original on 2017-04-20. Retrieved 2012-05-10.
  3. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.