Bennett Airtruck
| Bennett PL-11 Airtruck | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | Agricultural aircraft |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: |
Bennett Aviation / Waitomo Aircraft |
| First flight: |
2nd August 1960 |
| Number of pieces: |
2 |
The Bennett PL-11 Airtruck is an agricultural aircraft produced by the New Zealand manufacturer Bennett Aviation.
History and construction
The PL-11 is an unusual looking aircraft that was developed by Luigi Pellarini in 1960 to replace the de Havilland Tiger Moth , which had been used as agricultural aircraft until then . A number of components from RNZAF's excess North American Harvards were used for the prototype .
The aircraft is a high-wing aircraft with lower wing stubs to which the non-retractable main landing gear and V-struts are attached to support the wings. Harvard's single-seat cockpit with a shortened canopy is saddled high above the back of the fuselage and offers an excellent view of the front. Under the pilot's seat is the grit container and a cabin behind it for two companions, at the front of the fuselage is the nine-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine with the original Harvard engine fairing. The tail units, which are not connected to one another, are located at the end of two tail unit carriers arranged on the wings. This arrangement allows the filling vehicle to approach the filling opening from behind, and no parts of the airframe are exposed to the corrosive agrochemicals behind the spraying and spreading device. Despite the unusual design, the Airtruck was successful, but could not compete with the Fletcher FU-24 .
The first air truck, ZK-BPV, flew for the first time on August 2, 1960, but crashed during test flights in October 1963. After a reorganization of the company, the second aircraft flew in March 1965 under the new name Waitomo PL-11 Airtruck . It went into commercial operation in February 1967, but crashed a few days later. A shortage of Harvard parts meant that the machine was no longer built. The basic design was later further developed for the Transavia PL-12 Airtruk .
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 1 |
| Passengers | 2 |
| length | 7.82 m |
| span | 14.63 m |
| height | 3.30 m |
| Wing area | 34.3 m² |
| payload | 382 liters |
| Empty mass | 1678 kg |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 3266 kg |
| Cruising speed | 200 km / h |
| Top speed | 264 km / h |
| Service ceiling | ? m |
| Range | 724 km |
| Engines | 1 × nine-cylinder radial engine Pratt & Whitney R-1340 with 410 kW |
See also
literature
- John WR Taylor (Ed.): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66. Sampson Low, Marston & Company Ltd., London 1965.
Web links
- http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.at/2010/10/more-on-bennett-airtruck.html
- http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=agricultural&action=print&thread=12314