Pützer Elster

infobox Aircraft
name=Pützer Elster
type=Light recreational aircraft
manufacturer=Pützer


caption= Pützer Elster B
designer= Alfons Pützer
first flight=10 January 1959
introduction=
retired=
primary user=Luftwaffe
more users=
number built=45
status= In civilian use
unit cost=
developed from = Pützer Doppelraab, Pützer Motorraab
variants with their own articles=

The Pützer Elster was a German single-engined light aircraft, manufactured by Alfons Pützer KG (later Sportavia) in Bonn. It served with the Luftwaffe and Marineflieger and was used solely for recreational sport flying. Some continue to fly in 2007 in private ownership.

Development history

The Pützer Elster "Magpie" was developed from the Motorraab motor glider which had itself been developed from the Doppelraab glider. The Elster was the first aircraft to be produced in Germany since World War II in any significant numbers. The design shared the wing of the "Doppelraab" braced by metal struts, but was given a new monocoque fuselage, constructed of plywood with seats for two occupants arranged side-by-side. The tricycle landing gear unusually featured a steerable nosewheel controlled by a hand grip.Production ceased in 1967 by which time 45 examples had been built. [Green p.32. 1964]

Variants

Elster

:Prototype aircraft fitted with a 52 hp Porsche 678/3 engine, first flight 10 January 1959.

Elster B

:Main production version fitted with a 95 hp Continental C-90 engine. 25 aircraft were operated by the Luftwaffe and Marineflieger sport flying groups. These aircraft were initially operated with civilian registrations but were allocated military serials in 1971. [Jackson p.134. 1976] In 1978 the maintenance contract with Pützer expired and the aircraft were placed on the civil market.

Elster C

:The Elster C was fitted with the more powerful 150 hp Lycoming O-320 engine and other modifications for use as a glider tug.

Operators

Military operators

;GER
*Luftwaffe
*Marineflieger

pecifications (Pützer Elster B)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?= plane
jet or prop?= prop
ref= Macdonald Aircraft Handbook, 1964.
crew= One
capacity= One passenger
length main= 7.1 m
length alt= 23 ft 3.5 in
span main= 13.22 m
span alt= 43 ft 4 in
height main= 2.5 m
height alt= 8 ft 2.5 in
area main=
area alt= 188 sq ft
airfoil=
empty weight main= 470 kg
empty weight alt= 1,014 lb
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main= 700 kg
max takeoff weight alt= 1,543 lb
more general=

engine (prop)= Continental C-90-12F
type of prop= 4-cylinder piston engine
number of props=1
power main= 70 kw
power alt= 95 hp
power original=
max speed main= 185 km/h
max speed alt= 104 mph
cruise speed main= 140 km/h
cruise speed alt= 86 mph
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
range main= 450 km
range alt= 270 nm
ceiling main= 4,000 m
ceiling alt= 16,100 ft
climb rate main= 3 m/s
climb rate alt= 720 ft/min
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=
armament=
avionics=

ee also

aircontent
related=

similar aircraft=
*Piper PA-22 Tripacer

sequence=

see also=

References

Notes

Bibliography

* Green, William. "Aircraft Handbook". London. Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1964.
* Jackson, Paul A. "German Military Aviation 1956-1976". Hinckley, Leicestershire, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1976. ISBN 0-904597-03-2.

External links

* [http://www.airteamimages.com/51774.html Photo of Elster B in Luftwaffe markings]