Cukurs C-6bis

Cukurs C-6bis
Role	Dive bomber
Manufacturer	Herberts Cukurs
Designer	Herberts Cukurs
First flight	1940
Introduction	1940
Primary user	Latvian Air Force
Number built	1

Cukurs C-6bis was a Latvian prototype dive bomber aircraft designed by Herberts Cukurs in 1940.^[1]

Development

The aircraft was based on the Cukurs C-6 Trīs zvaigznes (Three stars) trainer which was known for its 1937 flight from Riga to Tokyo and return.^[1]

Work on the C-6bis started in 1939, with the first test flights in 1940. Soon after first test flights the Latvian Air Force accepted the aircraft and ordered twelve.^[1]

Test flights were halted on the 7 June 1940, just 10 days before the Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940. During the occupation the Red Army expressed interest in the C-6bis and test flew it, but they determined that it was unsuitable for use.

Only one example was built and its fate remains unknown.

Specifications (C-6bis)

Data from Airwar.ru^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: two
• Length: 8.50 m (27 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 11.00 m (36 ft 1 in)
• Height: 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in)
• Wing area: 12.80 m² (137.8 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 680 kg (1,499 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,340 kg (2,954 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Hispano Suiza 6 Mb six cylinder liquid-cooled in-line piston aircraft engine, 210 kW (280 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 440 km/h (273 mph; 238 kn)
• Range: 680 km (423 mi; 367 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 5,800 m (19,029 ft)

Armament

• Bombs: 50 kg each

References