The PZL M-24 Dromader Mini (Dromader is Polish for "Dromedary"), originally named the Lama[4] (Polish for "Llama"), is a single engine agricultural aircraft, developed in the 1980s by the WSK-Mielec (later PZL-Mielec) from the PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader.[2] The prototype, registration SP-PDM first flew on 18 June 1982.[3] It did not progress beyond the prototyping stage.[5]
| M-21 Dromader Mini | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Agricultural aircraft |
| National origin | Poland |
| Manufacturer | WSK-Mielec |
| Designer | Jarosław Rumszewicz[1] |
| First flight | June 18, 1982[2][3] |
| Number built | 2 |
| Developed from | PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader[2] |
Development
editThe plane was developed as a smaller variant of the successful M-18,[2][6] intended for smaller areas of land, up to about 50 hectares (120 acres). The design was intended to retain as much commonality with the M-18 as possible; ultimately around 70% was achieved.[1][7] Common areas included the cabin, rear fuselage, empennage, outer wing panels, and mainwheels.[1][7] The desire to maximise this commonality resulted in an overall weight greater than what would otherwise have been necessary.[8]
Design work commenced in January 1980 and was concluded by June that year.[1] Construction of the first prototype began in August 1981, and it first flew on 18 June 1982.[1] Three prototypes were built: two for flight testing and one for static tests.[1][7]
The prototypes were tested from 1982 to 1986, when the design was certified.[8] However, PZL did not have capacity to manufacture the design alongside the company's existing programs and no further examples were built.[8]
A turboprop version, the M-21T, powered by a Walter M601A, was designed but never constructed.[9]
Design
editThe M-21 is a conventional, low-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed, tailwheel undercarriage.[10] Construction is of metal throughout.[7] It is equipped with a single seat in an enclosed cabin.[7] Power is supplied by a single PZL-3SR radial engine mounted tractor-fashion in the nose.[10]
Specifications
editData from PZL M-21 Dromader Mini, p. 17
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Capacity: 1,700 L (450 US gal; 370 imp gal) / 965 kg (2,127 lb) of chemicals
- Length: 9.48 m (31 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 14.51 m (47 ft 7 in)
- Height: 3.11 m (10 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 32.6 m2 (351 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 2,060 kg (4,542 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 3,300 kg (7,275 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × PZL-3SR 7-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 442 kW (593 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 187 km/h (116 mph, 101 kn)
- Cruise speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn)
- Service ceiling: 2,900 m (9,500 ft)
- Rate of climb: 3.8 m/s (750 ft/min)
See also
editRelated development
Notes
editReferences
editBibliography
edit- Glass, Andrzej (May 1983). "Airplanes manufactured at PZL-Mielec". Technika lotnicze i astronautyczna. Vol. 38, no. 5. Warsaw: Stowarzyszenie Inżynierów i Techników Mechaników Polskich. pp. 6–7.
- Glass, Andrzej (2009). "Samoloty rolnicze" [Agricultural aircraft]. Polska Technika Lotnicza: Materiały historyczne. No. 1. Warsaw: Klub Miłośników Historii Polskiej Techniki Lotniczej.
- Lambert, Mark; Munson, Kenneth; Taylor, Michael J.H., eds. (1991). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1991-92 (82nd ed.). Coulson, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group.
- Luto, Krzysztof. "PZL M21 "Dromader Mini", 1982 ("Lama")". Samoloty w Lotnictwie Polskim.
- "PZL-M21 Dromader Mini". Technika lotnicze i astronautyczna. Vol. 38, no. 5. Warsaw: Stowarzyszenie Inżynierów i Techników Mechaników Polskich. May 1983. pp. 17–18.
- PZL M21 Lama (Report). PZL Mielec. 1980.
- Simpson, R. W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing.
- Taylor, John W.R., ed. (1984). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1984-85 (75th ed.). London: Jane's Publishing Co.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1993). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.