Peak Aerospace Me 109

Me 109
Me 109R
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Peak Aerospace
Mecklenburger Ultraleicht Flugzeugbau Christian Engelen
Classic Planes
Designer Tassilo Bek
First flight 1991
Status In production (2013)
Unit cost
€59,900 (assembled, 2011)
Developed from Messerschmitt Bf 109
Me 109R
Me 109R
Me 109R
Me 109R

The Peak Aerospace Me 109R is a family of German replica warbird ultralight aircraft that was designed by Tassilo Bek, and originally produced by Peak Aerospace, Mecklenburger Ultraleicht Flugzeugbau Christian Engelen and now produced by Classic Planes GmbH of Pasewalk. The design was first flown in 1991. The aircraft is an 80% scale replica of the Second World War Messerschmitt Bf 109 and is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. It features a cantilever low-wing, a single-seat enclosed cockpit, retractable conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1]

The first replica was inspired by Bek's inspection of a Loehle 5151 Mustang scale replica fighter at AirVenture in the late 1980s. He was impressed with the scale warbird, but wanted a German aircraft and so returned home and set out to design an Me 109 replica.[2]

The first prototype, registered D-MBAK, was of all wooden construction, powered by a Hirth 2704 producing only 40 hp (30 kW) and first flew in 1991. This aircraft achieved 190 km/h (118 mph) on its low power output, but Bek started a second prototype based on lessons learned in 1992. The second aircraft, registered D-MYBB, first flew in 1992, but was lost in an accident that same year. Bek's third prototype, D-MNBP, was flown in about 1994 and resulted in some kits being sold.[2]

Bek flew a homebuilt category version of the Me 109 in 1996, powered by a Hirth F30 and later a Subaru automotive conversion, which became the prototype of the Me 109R kit aircraft. Bek then sold the company and the new owner ceased development of the Me 109. In 2003 Christian Engelen purchased the project and continued work on the aircraft, officially re-launching it in 2004. Since then production has continued on a demand basis.[2]

The current production version, the Me 109R is made from composites. Its 8.10 m (26.6 ft) span wing has an area of 10.53 m2 (113.3 sq ft) and flaps. Standard engines available include the 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 two-stroke, the 70 hp (52 kW) Weber Motor MPE 750 and the 80 hp (60 kW) D-Motor LF26 four-stroke powerplants.[1][3]

Variants

Me 109R Microlight
Version for the European microlight class with a gross weight of 300 kg (660 lb)[3]
Me 109R Experimental
Version for the homebuilt aircraft class with a gross weight of 500 kg (1,100 lb), stressed for +6/-4g and intended for aerobatics. Powered by a 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL, a 70 to 120 hp (52 to 89 kW) MPE 750 or 80 hp (60 kW) LF 26 Boxer engine.[1][3]

Specifications (Me 109R)

Data from Bayerl and Peak Aerospace[1][3]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, pages 68 and 115. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. 1 2 3 "Me 109". Meck-ul.de. 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Description". Meck-ul.de. 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
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