Meller-II, Dux


T
he first Russian aircraft to be equipped with folding wings for transportation purposes.
Biplane similar to Farman-XVI, but with modified tail - it was partially covered with fabric. During 1913 military aircraft contest tail was replaced by standard one from Farman-XVI.
The Meller-II page will not be complete without following fact: It was Meller-II (pilot A.M.Gaber-Vlynskij) that managed to drop its engine on the Sikorsky "Russky Vitjaz", damaging it badly. Gaber-Vlynskij managed to land his 'reliable single-engined light aircraft' safely...
References:
  • "History of aircraft construction in the USSR" by V.B.Shavrov, Vol.1 p.105;
    		• Technical data
    Type Meller-I
    Year 1913
    Crew 1
    Engines 1*100hp Gnome-Monosaupape
    Length 8.1m
    Wingspan 13.7m
    Wing area 35.0m2
    Empty weight 460kg
    Loaded weight 710kg
    Wing load 20.3kg/m2
    Power load 7.1kg/hp
    Modified August 29, 1997
    by Alexandre Savine;    		 Back to
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