The BICh-20 Pionyer was a tailless research aircraft designed and built in the USSR from 1937.

BICh-20 Pionyer
Role Research
National origin USSR
Manufacturer Chyeranovskii
Designer Boris Ivanovich Chyeranovskii
First flight early 1938
Number built 1

Development edit

Chyeranovskii's smallest aircraft was the BICh-20 Pionyer, following broadly similar lines to its predecessors, the airframe was constructed of wood with a low aspect ratio tapered wing carrying suspended ailerons and flaps at the trailing edge. The engine and pilot were accommodated in the central nacelle with the cockpit canopy forming the leading edge of the broad chord fin and rudder.

Flight tests were carried out with ski undercarriage from early 1938, to investigate the turning performance of the tailless designs, particularly in flat horizontal flight without banking. Tests demonstrated turns up to 35 degrees while the wings remained horizontal. The initial 18 hp Blackburne Tomtit was replaced with a 20 hp Aubier-Dunne in the latter half of 1938.

Specifications (BICh-20 Aubier-Dunne) edit

Data from Gunston, Bill. “The Osprey Encyclopaedia of Russian Aircraft 1875 – 1995”. London, Osprey. 1995. ISBN 1-85532-405-9

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 3.56 m (11 ft 8.25 in)
  • Wingspan: 6.9 m (22 ft 8 in)
  • Wing area: 9.0 m2 (97 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 181 kg (399 lb)
  • Gross weight: 287 kg (633 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Aubier-Dunne , 14.9 kW (20 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 166 km/h (103 mph, 90 kn)
  • Range: 320 km (199 mi, 173 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,120 ft)

See also edit

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References edit

  • Gunston, Bill. “The Osprey Encyclopaedia of Russian Aircraft 1875 – 1995”. London, Osprey. 1995. ISBN 1-85532-405-9

External links edit