1 engine

Spacek SD-1 Minisport

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A mostly wooden UL single seater. Ply cover over foam ribs on wood / carbon spar. Two piece wing, flaperons with mix mechanism, T Tail.

Non-aerobatic.

Plans, parts, and kits were available. 51 % quick build kit from Czech Republic. All fabricated metal pre-made and materials to complete supplied. 2009 Price: 7950 EURO

Kit cost with engine but no instruments NZ$28000.00 incl ballistic chute in 2013.

Engine: 36 HP 2 cyl 4 stroke
Reduction: geared belt 6000RPM about 4 /1
Span: ~6 m,
Length: ~4m
Empty Weight: 130 kg / 287 lbs
MTOW Weight: 240 kg / 529 lbs
Fuel capacity: 28 ltrs
Stall: 35 kt / 40 mph / 65 kmh
Cruise: 92 kt / 106 mph / 170 kmh
VNE: 110 kt / 126 mph / 203 kmh
Climb Rate: 400 ft/min / 2,5-4 m/s
Take-off distance (50ft obstacle): 820 ft / 250 m
Landing distance (50ft obstacle): 980 ft / 300 m

Soviet Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau Orlyonok

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A 125-tonne, 200-knot troop transport and assault wing in surface effect craft for the Soviet forces. The development of ekranoplans was supported by Dmitri Ustinov, Minister of Defence of USSR. About 120 ekranoplans (A-90 Orlyonok class) were initially planned to enter military service in the Soviet Navy.

In 1972, the first really working military “Orlyonok” was built, intended for the transfer of amphibious assault forces to a range of up to 1,500 km.

The figure was later reduced to less than thirty vehicles, planned to be deployed mainly for the Black and the Baltic Soviet navies. Marshal Ustinov died in 1985, and the new Minister of Defence Marshal Sokolov effectively ceased the funding for the program. The only three operational A-90 Orlyonok ekranoplans built (with renewed hull design) and one Lun-class ekranoplan remained at a naval base near Kaspiysk.

A-90 “Orlyonok” in the Museum of the Navy in Tushino, Moscow

Southern Microlight Developments Gazelle

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SMD/Flexiform Sky Sails Gazelle/Medium Striker is a single seat single engined flex wing aircraft with weight shift control. Rogallo wing with keel pocket. Pilot suspended below wing in trike unit, using bar to control pitch and yaw/roll by altering relative positions of trike unit and wing. Wing braced from above by kingpost and cables, from below by cables; bowsprit construction with >70% double-surface; pre formed ribs. Undercarriage has three wheels in tricycle formation; no suspension on any wheels. Push right go left nosewheel steering independent from yaw control. Optional brakes on main wheels. Aluminium -tube trike unit, without pod. Engine mounted below wing driving pusher propeller.

Chris Scoble of Southern Microlight Developments builds only the trike unit, and normally mates it to a Flexiform Sky Sails Medium Striker wing, which he strengthens in a similar fashion to the one plus one Striker wing used on the Mainair Rapier.

Gazelles tend to be tailored to the customer’s own requirements and therefore vary in specification, but they are all double pole machines with the poles placed at the extreme ends of the axle for maximum strength, rather in the manner of a UAS Storm Buggy. Normal engine fitment is a 440 cc Robin, with electric start. Heavy duty alloy main wheels are standard.

Living near the sea has encouraged Chris to take an interest in float flying and in spring 1983 he introduced them as an option. The SMD floats can be fitted without disturbing the wheels and are constructed from glass-reinforced polyester in a colour to the customer’s choice. Each has three separate compartments to minimise the effect of leakage. Along the top of each float is a GRP beam which allows the fixing points to be moved at will until correct weight distribution is attained.

Engine: Robin EC44, 40 hp at 6500 rpm
Propeller diameter 58 inch, 1.47 m
V belt reduction, ratio 2.4/1
Max static thrust 270 lb, 122 kg
Power per unit area 0.20 hp/sq.ft, 2.2 hp/sq.m
Fuel capacity 6.0 US gal, 5.0 Imp gal, 22.7 litre
Length overall 11.0ft, 3.35m
Wing span 34.5ft, 10.52m
Sweepback 15 deg
Total wing area 200 sq.ft, 18.6 sq.m
Wing aspect ratio 7.5/1
Wheel track 5.0 ft, 1.52 m
Wheelbase 5.6ft, 1.70 m
Nosewheel diameter overall 13 inch, 33 cm
Main wheels diameter overall 16 inch, 41 cm
Optional floats: length 12.5 ft, 3.81 m; weight 38 lb, 17 kg each

Southern Crane 1929 monoplane / Manncraft Airplane Co 1929 monoplane

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The 1929 monoplane was a two-place open cockpit, powered by a 60hp Anzani engine, replaced by a Chevrolet in December 1930. As NX817N it was sold to J C Norris of Collierville in November 1932, who may have reverted to an Anzani.

The registration was cancelled by the CAA in September 1934.

This could be the Fleming, according to findings by John M Jarratt, but this enigma has yet to be solved as the name of Fleming is not apparent. Mann Co officials of record also included Ricardo Houstee, Mann Jr, and E F Moreland.

Southern Commercial Airmotive 1950 biplane / Denly Special

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The 1950 Southern Commercial Airmotive Corp aerobatic biplane was built from salvage of a Being P-12 for Charles Short and sometimes seen credited to his name.

The one built was registered N3800C and also seen also as re-registered (Del) Denly Special in the 1950s.

Engine: 85hp Continental
Wingspan (upper): 20’4″
Wingspan (lower): 17’6″
Length: 16’2″
Useful load: 300 lb
Max speed: 180 mph
Cruise: 115 mph
Stall: 43 mph
Seats: 2