Tatra T.101

T.101
OK-TAO, the 2008 replica aircraft that carries the registration of the original.
Role General aviation
National origin Czechoslovakia (original)
Czech Republic (replica)
Manufacturer Tatra (original)
Ivo and Jiří Sklenář (replica)
First flight 1937 (original)
October 2009 (replica)
Status Replica active.
Primary user Jan Ambrus (original)
Ivo and Jiří Sklenář (replica)
Produced 1937 (original)
2008 (replica)
Number built 2
Developed from Tatra T.001

The Tatra T.101 is a two-seat monoplane general aviation aircraft that was built in 1937 by Tatra. Only a single aircraft was built, but it set several records in the hands of Jan Ambrus. In 2008, a replica aircraft was constructed by brothers Ivo and Jiří Sklenář. It first flew in October 2009.

Design and development

Tatra started manufacturing aircraft in 1935, building the Avro 626 Avian and Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann under licence. In 1937, the Tatra T.001 was the first aircraft designed and built by Tatra. The T.101 was a development of that aircraft, with an increased wingspan and a larger empennage than the T.001.[1][2]

Only one aircraft was built by Tatra, msn 01. It was registered OK-TAO.

Operational history

The Tatra T,101 gained a number of records. In 1937, a prize was offered for the longest flight by an aircraft of Czechoslovakian origin. In 1938, Jan Ambrus flew from Ruzyně Airport, Prague to Khartoum Airport, Sudan,[1] a distance of 2,340 nautical miles (4,330 km).[3] The aircraft achieved a height record of 7,113 metres (23,337 ft) in the category for two-seat aircraft with an engine capacity of less than 4 litres (240 cu in). This was later raised to 7,470 metres (24,510 ft).[2]

Replica

Following the Velvet Revolution of 1989, citizens in the Czech and Slovak republics gained new freedom. The celebration of heritage had been suppressed under communism and the restoration of historic aircraft was forbidden by the Communist authorities. Since the revolution, interest in heritage has grown, and a number of attempts to revive industrial heritage, including aviation heritage, have been successful.[1]

One of these projects was the re-creation of the Tatra T.101 by twins Ivo and Jiří Sklenář. In the early 2000s, they started researching the aircraft and discovered that the blueprints had escaped destruction. They were discovered in the state archive at Opava. A Tatra HM-504 and a Tatra T100 engine were acquired with the assistance of Tatra and the Vyzkummy a Zkusebni Ustav (English: Aerospace Research and Test Institute). These two engines were rebuilt and made into an airworthy T100 engine with the assistance of Tatra and the Národní Techniké Muzeum (English: National Technical Museum). The process was hampered by the non-availability of spare parts, particularly cylinder valves. A new two-bladed wooden propeller was one of the first items manufactured for the aircraft. The replica used some modern manufacturing methods and materials, such as TIG welding, carbon composites and fibreglass. Deviations from the original design were made only where required by modern aeronautical regulations. The aircraft has modern avionics and a strobe light.[1]

The 13.00 metres (42 ft 8 in) span wooden wings are a one-piece unit. They were built by Jan Tobek, an ultralight aircraft manufacturer. The wing is the largest wooden wing built in the Czech Republic since the end of World War II. The aircraft was assembled at Kunovice Airport in a hangar owned by Evektor-Aerotechnik and Let Kunovice. The aircraft was completed on 29 September 2008. Following ground testing, a series of flight tests was commenced in October 2009, resulting in the issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness on 1 December 2009. The replica aircraft was given msn 02.[1]

Specifications

Data from Aeroplane, April 2012,[2] and/or the Aviators website.[4]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Degraef, Stefan; Borremans, Edwin. "Moravian Silverwing. The rebirth of Tatra's Khartoum Flyer". Aeroplane (Cudham: Kelsey Publishing) (April 2012): pp 28–32. ISSN 0143-7240.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "History of Tatra airplanes". Aviators. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  3. ↑ "Welcome to Aviators.cz". Aviators. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  4. ↑ "Tatra T-101.2 Airplane". Aviators. Retrieved 8 March 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tatra 101.