Raab-Katzenstein RK-26

Infobox Aircraft
name=RK-26 Tigerschwalbe


caption=
type=Training aircraft
manufacturer=Raab-Katzenstein
ASJA
designer=Gerhard Fieseler
first flight=By the end of the 1920s
introduced=
retired=
status=retired
primary user=Swedish Air Force
more users=Finnish Air Force
produced=
number built=Raab-Katzenstein: ?
ASJA: 25
unit cost=
developed from=
variants with their own articles=

Raab-Katzenstein RK-26 "Tigerschwalbe" was a German twin-seat biplane trainer aircraft designed by Gerhard Fieseler by the end of the 1920s.

Design and development

In December 1930, Fieseler was invited by the Swedish Air Force ("Flygvapnet") to present his aircraft for the Swedish aircraft manufacturing company ASJA. "Flygvapnet" was in need for a new trainer, and the RK-26 was an interesting aircraft. Fieseler had recently won a world aerobatics championship with an RK-26. ASJA then decided to buy one aircraft. It was tested with different engine configurations by "Flygvapnet", who later ordered 25 aircraft from ASJA.

Operational history

The trainer was given the designation Sk 10 by "Flygvapnet". It was used between 1932 and 1945, but was quite controversial during its active life. This was partly due to changes in the design, which made the aircraft 200 kg heavier than the original, and this changed its flight characteristics drastically. The aircraft was involved in many accidents. Of the 25 delivered aircraft, 18 were written off.

One aircraft, the SE-ADK was purchased in 1934 by a civilian, L. Hemmeringer. When the Winter War began, Hemmeninger donated the aircraft to Finland. The aircraft ended up being used by the Swedish Voluntary Air Force from 9 February, 1940. The aircraft was painted in Finnish colors, but was used quite sparingly, due to lack of spares and the bad condition of its engine. Most of the time it was standing at the air force base in Veitsiluoto.

urvivors

One Sk 10, the only remaining "Tigerschwalbe", is preserved at the "Flygvapenmuseum".

Operators

;AUT:;FIN:
*Finnish Air Force;SWE:
*Swedish Air Force

pecifications (RK-26)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop

ref=Thulinista Hornettiin

crew=2
capacity=
length main=6.55 m
length alt=21 ft 6 in
span main=8.40 m
span alt= 27 ft 7 in
height main=2.66 m
height alt=8 ft 9 in
area main=20.20 m²
area alt=217.3 ft²
airfoil=
empty weight main= kg
empty weight alt= lb
loaded weight main= kg
loaded weight alt= lb
useful load main= kg
useful load alt= kg
max takeoff weight main=1,100 kg
max takeoff weight alt= 2,420 lb
more general=

engine (prop)=Armstrong Siddeley Lynx
type of prop=7-cylinder radial engine
number of props=1
power main=149-160 kW
power alt=200-215 hp
power original= PS

max speed main=190 km/h
max speed alt=102 knots, 117 mph
cruise speed main= km/h
cruise speed alt= knots, mph
stall speed main= km/h
stall speed alt= knots, mph
never exceed speed main= km/h
never exceed speed alt= knots, mph
range main= km
range alt= nm, mi
ceiling main=5,000 m
ceiling alt=16,400 ft
climb rate main= m/s
climb rate alt= ft/min
loading main= kg/m²
loading alt= lb/ft²
thrust/weight=
power/mass main= W/kg
power/mass alt= hp/lb
more performance=
armament=
avionics=

ources

* Heinonen, Timo: "Thulinista Hornetiin, Keski-Suomen Ilmailumuseon julkaisuja 3", Gummerus Kirjapaino Oy, 1992, ISBN 951-95688-2-4

ee also

aircontent
related=

similar aircraft=

sequence=

lists=
* List of military aircraft of Germany
* List of military aircraft of Sweden
see also=