DAR 1

DAR 1
Role Civil training aircraft
National origin Bulgaria
Manufacturer DAR
Designer Hermann Winter
First flight 1926
Number built 20[1]

The DAR 1 Peperuda (butterfly) was a 1920s Bulgarian two-seat touring or trainer biplane, designed by Hermann Winter and built by the DAR – Drjavna Aeroplane Rаbotilnitsa – State Aircraft Workshops.[1][2]

Design and development

The aircraft was a conventional two-seat single-bay biplane with a fixed tailskid landing gear, powered by a 60 hp (45 kW) Walter NZ radial engine.[1][2] Further development resulted in the DAR 1A, which was powered by an 85 hp Walter Vega engine, eight DAR 1As being produced.

After the maiden flight and successful flight tests the DAR 1 was put into production in 1926.[1] Production DAR 1A aircraft were delivered from 1928.[1]

Operational history

The twelve DAR 1 and eight DAR 1A aircraft were used by the Bulgarian Air Force at the Kazanlak Air School, for primary training and the Yato fighter squadron for continuation training, from 1926 to the early 1940s. Some DAR 1A aircraft were also used by the Civil Air Service as glider tugs.

Variants

DAR 1
Initial production variant with a 60hp (45kW) Walter NZ 60 radial engine, 12 built.[2]
DAR 1A
Variant powered by an 85hp (63kW) Walter Vega engine, eight built plus some upgraded from DAR 1s.[1]

Operators

 Bulgaria
Kazanlak Air School[1]
Yato Fighter Squadron[1]

Specifications (DAR 1)

Data from Balkan Birds,[3] p. 23.

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Length: 6.25 m (20 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.30 m (30 ft 6 in)
  • Empty weight: 405 kg (893 lb)
  • Gross weight: 640 kg (1,411 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Walter NZ-60 radial piston engine, 45 kW (60 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 135 km/h (84 mph, 73 kn)

See also

Related lists

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "DAR 1". aeroflight.co.uk. 29 July 2005. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Orbis 1985, p. 1295
  3. ^ Balkan Birds: Thirty Five Years of Bulgarian Aircraft Production

Bibliography

  • Anderson, Lennart (November–December 2019). "La renaissance de l'aviation militair bulgare dans les années vingt" [The Rebirth of Bulgarian Military Aviation in the Twenties]. Avions (in French) (232): 52–66. ISSN 1243-8650.
  • Insignia Issue 8 March/April 1998 pp. 132–135
  • Air Power of the Kingdom of Bulgaria Part III
  • Bernád, Dénes (July–August 2001). "Balkan Birds: Thirty-Five Years of Bulgarian Aircraft Production, Part One". Air Enthusiast (94): 18–30. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). Orbis Publishing.