Gribovsky G-20

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Gribovsky G-20
Role Two seat trainer
National origin USSR
Designer Vladislav Gribovsky
First flight 1935
Number built 1

The Gribovsky G-20 (Russian : ГРИБОВСКИЙ Г-20) was an aerobatic trainer, designed in the USSR in the mid-1930s. Only one was built; re-engined in 1937, it was used to train many aerobatic pilots.

Russian language East Slavic language

Russian is an East Slavic language, which is official in the Russian Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as being widely used throughout Eastern Europe, the Baltic states, the Caucasus and Central Asia. It was the de facto language of the Soviet Union until its dissolution on 25 December 1991. Although, nowadays, nearly three decades after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russian is used in official capacity or in public life in all the post-Soviet nation-states, as well as in Israel and Mongolia, the rise of state-specific varieties of this language tends to be strongly denied in Russia, in line with the Russian World ideology.

Contents

Design and development

The G-20 was a monoplane with a low wing of semi-elliptical plan, its greatest chord some way out from the roots. Unusually, the wing was braced from above with a pair of inverted V steel struts to a crash pylon within the enclosed forward cockpit. The wing had long, broad chord ailerons and manually operated flaps. [1] [2]

Monoplane Fixed-wing aircraft with a single main wing plane

A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with a single main wing plane, in contrast to a biplane or other multiplane, each of which has multiple planes.

Wing root

The wing root is the part of the wing on a fixed-wing aircraft that is closest to the fuselage. On a simple monoplane configuration, this is usually easy to identify. On parasol wing or multiple boom aircraft, the wing may not have a clear root area.

Strut structural component designed to resist longitudinal compression

A strut is a structural component commonly found in engineering, aeronautics, architecture and anatomy. Struts generally work by resisting longitudinal compression, but they may also serve in tension.

On its first flight, in 1935, and over its early career it was powered by a five-cylinder Shvetsov M-11 radial engine, a Soviet design which originally produced 100 hp (75 kW), [1] [3] enclosed in a broad chord, helmeted cowling. In 1937 performance was improved with the installation of an uprated M-11 variant, the 150 hp (112 kW) M-11 Ye. Behind the engine the fuselage was deep and rounded below. Instructor and student were in tandem cockpits under continuous, multiframed glazing that merged into a raised rear upper fuselage. [1] Its empennage was conventional, with elliptical, mid fuselage horizontal surfaces, the tailplane braced from the upper fuselage. The fin merged smoothly into the fuselage and carried a broad, unbalanced rudder which extended own to the keel. The tailplane was far enough forward that trailing edges of the elevators were ahead of the rudder hinge. [2]

Shvetsov M-11 R-5 piston aircraft engine

The Shvetsov M-11 is a five-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engine produced in the Soviet Union between 1923 and 1952.

Radial engine reciprocating engine with cylinders arranged radially from a single crankshaft

The radial engine is a reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders "radiate" outward from a central crankcase like the spokes of a wheel. It resembles a stylized star when viewed from the front, and is called a "star engine" in some languages. The radial configuration was commonly used for aircraft engines before gas turbine engines became predominant.

Aircraft fairing

An aircraft fairing is a structure whose primary function is to produce a smooth outline and reduce drag.

The G-20 had a tailwheel undercarriage. Its main wheels, mounted on slender cantilever legs, were enclosed in large, deep spats. [1]

Conventional landing gear aircraft undercarriage arrangement with main gear forward plus tail support

Conventional landing gear, or tailwheel-type landing gear, is an aircraft undercarriage consisting of two main wheels forward of the center of gravity and a small wheel or skid to support the tail. The term taildragger is also used, although some claim it should apply only to those aircraft with a tailskid rather than a wheel.

Cantilever beam anchored at only one end

A cantilever is a rigid structural element, such as a beam or a plate, anchored at one end to a support from which it protrudes; this connection could also be perpendicular to a flat, vertical surface such as a wall. Cantilevers can also be constructed with trusses or slabs. When subjected to a structural load, the cantilever carries the load to the support where it is forced against by a moment and shear stress.

It flew for the first time in 1935. It came third in the first All-Union light competition but was initially underpowered for its aerobatic trainer rôle. [2] Its performance was much enhanced by the more powerful M-11 Ye engine [1] and subsequently some seventy pilots qualified on it. [2]

Specifications (M-11 Ye engine)

Data from Gunston (1965), p.79 [1]

General characteristics

Airfoil

An airfoil or aerofoil is the cross-sectional shape of a wing, blade, or sail.

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 235 km/h (146 mph; 127 kn)
  • Range: 400 km (249 mi; 216 nmi) :This and below refer to original M-11 engine
  • Service ceiling: 3,870 m (12,700 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 11.1 min to 2,000 m (6,562 ft)
  • Take off distance: 190 m (623 ft)
  • Landing speed: 70 km/h (43 mph)

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gunston, Bill (1995). The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London: Osprey (Reed Consumer Books Ltd). p. 79. ISBN   1 85532 405 9.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Gribovsky G-20" . Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  3. ↑ Gunston (1995). The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. pp. XX–XXI.


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