Ikarus 451

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451
Type Research aircraft
National origin Yugoslavia
Manufacturer Ikarus
Designed by Dragoljub Beslin
Maiden flight 1952

The designation Ikarus 451 covers a family of six research aircraft designs built in Yugoslavia in the 1950s, all sharing the same basic airframe, but otherwise quite different from each other. One member of the family became the first domestically-built jet aircraft to fly in Yugoslavia, on 25 October 1952.

The first aircraft built under this designation was a propeller-driven aircraft that accommodated the pilot in prone position. It was an otherwise conventional low-wing monoplane with retractable tailwheel undercarriage, the main units of which retracted backwards into the engine nacelles mounted below the wings. This flew in 1952, and by the end of the year was followed by the 451M (Mlazni - "jet") which had conventional seating for the pilot and in place of the two Walter inline engines of the original 451 was fitted with Turboméca Palas turbojets. In this version, the undercarriage retracted inwards. Provision was made to carry one 20 mm Hispano Suiza 404A cannon under the fuselage, plus six RS rockets under the wings. Further developments were aimed at developing a viable military aircraft from this basic design.

The S-451M Zolja ("Wasp") that flew in 1954 featured a stretched fuselage, folding wings, and redesigned engine nacelles, now in the same plane as the wing rather than being hung under it. This served as the basis for the development of an armed version, the J-451MM Stršljen ("Hornet") intended for the close-support (Jurisnik) role. This differed from preceding members of the family by introduction of tricycle undercarriage, Turboméca Marbore engines with over twice the thrust of those used on earlier aircraft, and armament increased to two HS.404 cannon carried under the fuselage. This configuration then formed the basis for the S-451MM Matica ("Queen bee") two-seat trainer and T-451MM Stršljen II single-seat acrobatic trainer

No member of the family was produced in any number. The 451, 451M, and J-451MM are all preserved at the Museum of Aviation in Belgrade.

[edit] Specifications (451M)

General characteristics

  • Crew: One pilot
  • Length: 7.45 m (24 ft 5 in)
  • Wingspan: 6.78 m (22 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 2.32 m (7 ft 7 in)
  • Wing area: 8.0 m² (86 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 897 kg (1,977 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,350 kg (2,980 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Turboméca Palas 056A, 1.5 kN (330 lbf) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 470 km/h (290 mph)
  • Range: 300 km (190 miles)
  • Service ceiling: 8,500 m (27,900 ft)

[edit] References

  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 430.