Harakka
Harakka | |
---|---|
Harakka II glider at Suomen Ilmailumuseo (Finnish Aviation Museum), 2001 | |
Role | Primary glider |
National origin | Finland |
First flight | February 1945 |
The Harakka ("European magpie") was a primary glider produced for pilot training in Finland in the 1940s. Its design was typical of this class of aircraft, a "keel" with a pilot's seat suspended beneath a high, strut-braced monoplane wing, and carrying a conventional empennage at the end of an open framework.[1] First flown in February 1945, the type was built from plans by Finnish gliding clubs and soon replaced earlier primary gliders such as the Grunau 9,[2] becoming a standard piece of equipment in the clubs.[1][3]
In 1946, Raimo Häkkinen and Juhani Heinonen from Polyteknikkojen Ilmailukerho redesigned the Harakka to strengthen it.[4] This improved version became known as the Harakka II or PIK-7.[4][5][6] In 1948, a single example of a more radically redesigned version designated Harakka III flew.[7] This had the framework that supported the tail replaced by a single boom.[7]
Examples of the Harakka I and Harakka II are preserved at the Suomen ilmailumuseo[8] and the Karhulan ilmailukerho Aviation Museum,[1][6] with the sole Harakka III also preserved at the latter museum.[7]
Variants
- Harakka I - initial version
- Harakka II - strengthened version (several dozen built)[4]
- Harakka III - version with redesigned tail (1 built)[7]
Specifications (Harakka II)
Data from "Harakka II (H-57)"
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
Performance
- Maximum glide ratio: 10.5:1
Notes
References
- "Aircraft on display". The Finnish Aviation Museum website. Archived from the original on 2008-12-19. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "Grunau 9 ja PIK-7 Harakka, kerhon 1940-50-lukujen alkeiskoulukoneet". Vaasan Lentokerho website. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- Hardy, Michael (1982). Gliders and Sailplanes of the World. Shepperton: Ian Allan.
- "Harakka I (H-12)". Karhulan Ilmailukerho website. Archived from the original on 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "Harakka II (H-57)". Karhulan Ilmailukerho website. Archived from the original on 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "Harakka III/PIK-7 (H-34)". Karhulan Ilmailukerho website. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- "PIK-sarjan lentokoneet". Polyteknikkojen Ilmailukerho website. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.