The Hindustan HUL-26 Pushpak ("Flower")[1] was a 1950s Indian two-seat cabin monoplane designed and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, based on the Aeronca Chief.[2]
| HUL-26 Pushpak | |
|---|---|
| |
| HUL-26 Pushpak displayed at HAL Museum | |
| Role | Two-seat cabin monoplane |
| Manufacturer | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited |
| First flight | 1958 |
| Primary users | Aero clubs Private pilot owners |
| Number built | 160+ |
| Developed from | Aeronca Chief |
Construction and operation
editThe Pushpak was a high-wing braced monoplane with a fixed tailwheel landing gear.[2] The fuselage was built from metal tubing, the wing aluminum ribs on a wooden spar, all covered in fabric.[2] The Pushpak first flew on 28 September 1958 and was powered by a 90 hp (67 kW) Continental flat-four engine.[2]
Around 160 aircraft were produced for Indian flying clubs for use as basic trainers.[2] Two examples were gifted to Malaysia and were later sold to private pilot owners in the United Kingdom. These examples remained in active operation in 2013.[3]
Operators
edit
Former
editSpecifications (HUL-26)
editData from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 6.40 m (21 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 10.97 m (36 ft 0 in)
- Height: 2.77 m (9 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 16.2 m2 (174 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 395 kg (871 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 613 kg (1,351 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 56 L (12 imp gal; 15 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental C90-8F air-cooled flat-four, 67 kW (90 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 144 km/h (89 mph, 78 kn)
- Cruise speed: 112 km/h (70 mph, 60 kn)
- Range: 400 km (250 mi, 220 nmi)
- Endurance: 3 hr
- Service ceiling: 4,270 m (14,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 2.5 m/s (500 ft/min)
See also
editRelated development
References
editNotes
edit- ^ "Meaning of pushpak in English".
- ^ a b c d e Orbis 1985, p. 2172
- ^ Partington 2013, p. 603
- ^ Taylor 1965, p. 80
Bibliography
edit- Taylor, John W. R. (1965). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. p. 2172.
- Partington, David (2013). Civil Aircraft Registers of United Kingdom, Ireland & IOM 2013. Tonbridge, Kent: Air-Britain (Historians) Limited. ISBN 978-0-85130-453-3.