Gribovsky G-26

Last updated
Gribovsky G-26
Role High performance sports aircraft
National origin USSR
Manufacturer Vladislav Gribovsky
Designer c.1938
Number built 1

The Gribovsky G-26 (Russian : Грибовский Г-26) was a single seat sports aircraft designed for high performance in the USSR in the later 1930s. Only one was built.

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-26 was a low wing monoplane designed for performance and powered by a 108 kW (145 hp), air-cooled four cylinder inverted inline MG-40 engine. In appearance it was rather like the Gribovsky G-22, though it was smaller with a 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) shorter span and 10% less wing area. An obvious external difference was the position of the open cockpit, which was set back well behind the wing trailing edge on the G-26 rather than over mid-chord. Structurally the two designs were almost identical. In plan their single spar wings had a short parallel chord centre section and strongly straight tapered outer panels with the greatest taper on the trailing edges and with elliptical tips. The wing was plywood covered ahead of the spar and fabric covered aft. [1]

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.

Straight engine engine configuration

The straight or inline engine is an internal-combustion engine with all cylinders aligned in one row and having no offset. Usually found in four, six and eight cylinder configurations, they have been used in automobiles, locomotives and aircraft, although the term in-line has a broader meaning when applied to aircraft engines, see Inline engine (aviation).

The Gribovsky G-22 was a low powered, single seat sports cantilever monoplane, designed and built in the USSR in the mid-1930s. It set at least one class record and flew from 1936 to at least 1940, though only one was completed.

Both models also had flat sided, truss framed fuselages, with rounded upper decking ahead of the cockpits. Behind the G-26 cockpit the raised upper fuselage continued to the tail. As on the G-22, the fin and the fabric covered, unbalanced rudder of the G-26 together had an elliptic profile. Its tailplane was set well back, with its leading edge only a little ahead of the rudder hinge line; the elevators were hinged behind the rudder. [1]

Truss structure that consists of two-force members only

A truss is an assembly of beams or other elements that creates a rigid structure. In engineering, a truss is a structure that "consists of two-force members only, where the members are organized so that the assemblage as a whole behaves as a single object". A "two-force member" is a structural component where force is applied to only two points. Although this rigorous definition allows the members to have any shape connected in any stable configuration, trusses typically comprise five or more triangular units constructed with straight members whose ends are connected at joints referred to as nodes.

Fin flight control surface

A fin is a thin component or appendage attached to a larger body or structure. Fins typically function as foils that produce lift or thrust, or provide the ability to steer or stabilize motion while traveling in water, air, or other fluids. Fins are also used to increase surface areas for heat transfer purposes, or simply as ornamentation.

Balanced rudder

Balanced rudders are used by both ships and aircraft. Both may indicate a portion of the rudder surface ahead of the hinge, placed to lower the control loads needed to turn the rudder. For aircraft the method can also be applied to elevators and ailerons; all three aircraft control surfaces may also be mass balanced, chiefly to avoid aerodynamic flutter.

Because it was designed for performance it was not a beginner's aircraft, though modifications made in 1939 improved its handling. [1]


Specifications

Data from Gunston (1995), p.80-1 [1]

General characteristics

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 290 km/h (180 mph; 157 kn)
  • Range: 350 km (217 mi; 189 nmi)

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gunston, Bill (1995). The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875-1995. London: Osprey (Reed Consumer Books Ltd). pp. 80–1. ISBN   1 85532 405 9.


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