Pützer Elster
| Pützer Elster | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pützer Elster B | |
| Role | Light recreational aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Pützer |
| Designer | Alfons Pützer |
| First flight | 10 January 1959 |
| Status | In civilian use |
| Primary user | Luftwaffe |
| Number built | 45 |
| Developed from | Pützer Doppelraab, Pützer Motorraab |
The Pützer Elster was a German single-engined light aircraft, manufactured by Alfons Pützer KG (later Sportavia) in Bonn. It served with the Luftwaffe and Marineflieger and was used solely for recreational sport flying. Some continue to fly in 2007 in private ownership.
Development history
The Pützer Elster "Magpie" was developed from the Motorraab motor glider which had itself been developed from the Doppelraab glider. The Elster was the first aircraft produced in Germany after World War II in any significant numbers. The design shared the wing of the Doppelraab, braced by metal struts, but was given a new monocoque fuselage constructed of plywood with seats for two occupants arranged side by side. The tricycle landing gear unusually featured a steerable nosewheel controlled by a hand grip. Production ceased in 1967, by which time 45 examples had been built.[1]
Variants
Elster
- Prototype aircraft fitted with a 52 hp Porsche 678/3 engine, first flight 10 January 1959.
Elster B
- Main production version fitted with a 95 hp Continental C-90 engine. 25 aircraft were operated by the Luftwaffe and Marineflieger sport flying groups. These aircraft were initially operated with civilian registrations but were allocated military serials in 1971.[2] In 1978 the maintenance contract with Pützer expired and the aircraft were placed on the civil market.
Elster C
- The Elster C was fitted with the more powerful 150 hp Lycoming O-320 engine and other modifications for use as a glider tug.
Operators
Military operators
Specifications (Pützer Elster B)
Data from Macdonald Aircraft Handbook, 1964.
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Capacity: One passenger
- Length: 7.1 m (23 ft 3.5 in)
- Wingspan: 13.22 m (43 ft 4 in)
- Height: 2.5 m (8 ft 2.5 in)
- Empty weight: 470 kg (1,014 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 700 kg (1,543 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental C-90-12F 4-cylinder piston engine, 70 kw (95 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 185 km/h (104 mph)
- Cruise speed: 140 km/h (86 mph)
- Range: 450 km (270 nm)
- Service ceiling: 4,000 m (16,100 ft)
- Rate of climb: 3 m/s (720 ft/min)
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Green, William. Aircraft Handbook. London. Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1964.
- Jackson, Paul A. German Military Aviation 1956-1976. Hinckley, Leicestershire, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1976. ISBN 0-904597-03-2.
External links
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