Orlican L-40 Meta Sokol
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| L-40 Meta Sokol | |
|---|---|
| Type | Touring aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Orličan |
| Maiden flight | 29 March 1956 |
| Status | in use |
| Primary user | Czechoslovakian aviation |
| Produced | 1957-1959 |
| Number built | 106[1] |
The L-40 Meta Sokol was a Czechoslovakian sports and touring four-seat single-engine low-wing aircraft of the late 1950s.
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[edit] Development
A predecessor of the L-40 was a sports and touring plane M-1 Sokol of wooden construction. Next there was a sports plane with V-tail LD-40, designed by Zdenek Rublič. Its prototype XLD-40 was flown on 30 July, 1950, however, it did not meet required performance and the works were abandoned. In 1954 the works upon the LD-40 started again, with the tail changed to a conventional one. The plane had a number of shortcomings, and further works continued. Evantually the aircraft was redesigned as a four-seater touring aircraft, under the designation L-40 Meta Sokol.
The prototype of the L-40, the XL-40, flew first on 29 March 1956. Another prototype flew in August 1956, introducing some simplification of construction. In 1957 the aircraft entered production, and by 1959, 106 were built[1]. The first series of 10 aircraft had 77 kW Walter Minor III-4 engine, the rest - 103 kW M-332. Four persons sat in two rows, there were twin controls in front. Its remarkable feature is non typical inverted tricycle gear, with main gear near the wing's leading edge and relatively big rear wheel near the wing's rear edge, therefore the fuselage is almost horizontal on the ground.
[edit] Use
The primary user was the Czechoslovak civilian aviation. Over half of the series was exported to 16 countries, among others to Germany, Great Britain, Swiss, Australia. Several FAI world records were set on the L-40.
[edit] Description
Single-engine low-wing cantilever monoplane of a metal construction. A fuselage built of a frame in front part, semi-monocoque in rear part, duralumin covered. Trapezoid three-part wing, duralumin covered, fitted with split flaps. Conventional tail, steering surfaces were covered with canvas. A tail fin was high, trapezoid. The plane had four seats in two rows, with twin controls in front. All were placed under a slim partly glazed canopy, sliding rearwards. At the rear, there was some luggage space. Inline engine in front, with two-blade tractor propeller V-410 of a variable pitch. Retractable inverted tricycle gear. The main gear's wheels are only half hiden in wings, making emergency landings safer. Fuel tanks were in wings, there could be also fitted small teardrop tanks to wingtips.
[edit] Specifications
Data from Szwedo, F. (1992)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1, pilot
- Capacity: 3
- Length: 7.54 m ()
- Wingspan: 10.06 m ()
- Height: 2.47 m ()
- Wing area: 14.56 m² (ft²)
- Empty weight: 530 kg ()
- Max takeoff weight: 950 kg ()
- Powerplant: 1× M-332 inline engine, 138 hp (103 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 225 km/h
- Cruise speed: 210 km/h
- Range: 1100 km ()
- Service ceiling 5,050 m ()
- Rate of climb: 4.5 m/s ()
[edit] References
- Szwedo, Franciszek, Samolot sportowy L-40 Meta Sokol, in: Modelarz nr 8/1992, ISSN-013-7701 (Polish)
- Ivan Procházka: Orličan L-40 Meta Sokol (Czech)
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
Related development
- Orlican M-1 Sokol
Comparable aircraft
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