| SAM-9 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | |
| National origin | USSR |
| Manufacturer | GAZ-18, Voronezh |
| Designer | Aleksandr Sergeyevitch Moskalyev |
| First flight | early 1937 |
| Number built | 1 |
The Moskalyev SAM-9 Strela (Arrow) was a one-off, Soviet, 1930s experimental tailless aircraft designed to test the characteristics of a leaf-shaped low-aspect-ratio delta wing.
As early as 1933, Aleksandr Moskalyev was designing a rocket-powered, tailless aircraft with a highly-swept short-span curved delta wing with wingtip fins and rudders, able to fly faster than sound. Because no sufficiently powerful engines were available at the time, the Moskalyev SAM-4 Sigma was never built but it led to two interim types, the SAM-7 Sigma and SAM-9 Strela. [1]
The tailless Strela was built to test the behaviour of the SAM-4's radically new wing plan using a highly swept delta with moderately convex leading and trailing edges.
Set at shoulder height, the wing root ran from ahead of the engine to the extreme tail and was fitted with broad-chord elevons equipped with trim tabs. It had the unusually low aspect ratio of 0.925. Like the rest of the Strela, the wing structure was wood. Control surfaces were fabric covered but the rest of the Strela's skin was plywood. [1] Moskalyev had intended to use a 570 kW (760 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Y engine, but only a 200 kW (270 hp) Renault 6P was available. The Strela's enclosed cockpit was at about mid-chord with a fairing behind it reaching the large, triangular fin with a narrow chord rudder equipped with a trim tab. [1] The Strela had a fixed conventional undercarriage, with cantilever faired legs based on those of the Moskalyev SAM-5 and a sprung tailskid. [1]
It was first flown, at Voronezh, in early 1937 by A.N.Rybo. A.N.Gusarov and A.P.Chernavskii explored its characteristics over the next few months, finding it controllable but demanding. The high landing angle of attack (around 20°) typical of delta wing aircraft was not yet familiar but worrying. In mid-1937 development of the SAM-9 was ended. [1]
Data from Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875-1995 [1]
General characteristics
Performance
The BICh-20 Pionyer was a tailless research aircraft designed and built in the USSR from 1937.
The Yakovlev UT-3, initially known as the AIR-17 and then Ya-17, was a twin-engine low-wing monoplane aircraft designed by Alexander Sergeyevich Yakovlev for the Soviet Air Force (VVS).
The Alpaero Choucas is a French two seat, single engine tailless kit-built ultralight motor glider. At least 12 are flying, with more under construction.
The Farman F.1020 was an experimental aircraft built in France in 1933 to investigate the behaviour of a semi-circular wing fitted with unconventional controls. It had a short career and only one was constructed.
The Moskalyev SAM-14 was a late 1930s Soviet, five-passenger transport, one of a series of developments of the successful Moskalyev SAM-5.
The Moskalyev SAM-25 was an early 1940s Soviet, military assault transport, the last of a series of developments of the successful Moskalyev SAM-5.
The Marske Monarch is a single-seat, high-wing, strut-braced, tailless ultralight glider and motor glider that was offered both as plans and a kit for amateur construction by Marske Aircraft.
The Mitchell Wing B-10 is an American high-wing, open cockpit, single-seat, tailless, ultralight aircraft and motor glider designed by Don Mitchell and based on his Mitchell Wing hang-glider. It has been produced by a variety of companies in the form of kits and plans for amateur construction. It first flew in 1980.
The Chasle LMC-1 Sprintair is an all-metal, single-seat sports light aircraft designed in France in the early 1970s and intended to be built by aero clubs from plans.
The Payen Arbalète was a small, pusher configuration, experimental French tailless aircraft, designed by Nicolas Roland Payen, and first flown in 1965.
The Renault 6P, also called the Renault Bengali, was a series of air-cooled 6-cylinder inverted in-line aero engines designed and built in France from the late 1920s, which produced from 130 kW (180 hp) to 200 kW (270 hp).
The RRG Storch V was the only member of Alexander Lippisch's Storch series of tailless aircraft to be powered. It flew successfully in the year 1929.
The Moskalyev SAM-13 was a prototype twin-engined single-seat low-wing fighter built in the Soviet Union in the 1930s.
The Kharkiv KhAI-3 or Aviavnito-3 was one of several Soviet mid-1930s motor glider transports intended to reduce transport costs.
The Kharkiv KhAI-4 was an experimental Soviet tailless aircraft tested in 1934. It only made three flights before being grounded as dangerous.
The RRG Delta I was a German experimental tailless aircraft flown in the early 1930s first as a glider and then powered. It was one of the first delta wing aircraft.
The Moskalyev SAM-6 was an experimental design intended to test the suitability of monowheel undercarriages, lighter than conventional gear, on tailless aircraft.
The Moskalyev SAM-7 Sigma was a one-off, Soviet, experimental tailless fighter aircraft.
The Moskalyev SAM-10 was a late 1930s Soviet light transport aircraft suited to passenger or ambulance roles. Despite proving outstanding in trials, engine supply curtailed its production.
The Moskalyev SAM-11 was an amphibious version of the SAM-5bis-2, with a flying boat hull, retractable landing gear and raised engine and tail to avoid spray. Only one was built.
