Koolhoven F.K.50
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| Koolhoven F.K.50 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Eight-passenger light transport monoplane |
| Manufacturer | N.V.Koolhoven |
| Designed by | Fritz Koolhoven |
| Maiden flight | 1935 |
| Introduced | 1935 |
| Retired | 1962 |
| Primary user | Swiss Alpar |
| Number built | 3 |
The Koolhoven F.K.50 was a 1930s Dutch eight-passenger light transport monoplane designed and built by Koolhoven.
[edit] Development
The F.K.50 was designed to meet a requirement from the Swiss airline Swiss Alpar for a light transport capable of operating in Switzerland. The F.K.50 was a cantilver high-wing cabin monoplane with a fixed wide track tailwheel landing gear. It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior engines and had a conventional single fin and rudder. The first of two aircraft first flew on the 18 September 1935 and the second flew in March 1936. A third aircraft was built in 1938 with a re-designed tail unit with twin vertical tail surfaces. A bomber variant (the F.K.50B) was proposed but never built.
[edit] Operational history
The three aircraft operated a regular service between Swiss destinations and onwards to Lyons and Marseilles and charter flights to Paris and London. One aircraft remained in flying condition until is crashed in 1962.
[edit] Variants
- F.K.50
- Production variants, three built (two with single vertical tail and one with twin vertical tails)
- F.K.50B
- Proposed Bomber variant, not built.
[edit] Operators
- Swiss Alpar
[edit] Specifications (F.K.50)
Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing, 2260.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: eight passengers
- Length: 14.30 m (46 ft 11 in)
- Wingspan: 17.70 m (58 ft 0¾ in)
- Gross weight: 4250 kg (9369 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior IIIB radial engines, 303 kW (406 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 295 km/h (183 mph)
[edit] References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing, 2260.
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