AVF (Soviet Akademiya Vozdushnogo Flota – Air Fleet Academy) Designations

[Cy-27]

The Akademiya Vozdushnogo Flota – Air Fleet Academy ( AVF / АВФ ) was an body set up for budding glider (planer) designers during the period 1923-26. Most of the designs appeared at the annual All-Union Gliding Competition (VPI) held at Koktebel (Feodossia) in the Crimea. The majority of the designs remained one-off but a number of well-known Soviet aircraft designers cut their teeth with the AVF.

Sources at completion of list.

AVF-1 (ARAP) - Single seat glider [ 1923 ]
Designed by M K Tikhonravov as a single seat glider for the 1st VPI in 1923. The skin was made at the Aviarobotnik works. It was the first product of the AVF organisation. The Arap was a cantilever high wing monoplane of triangular planform. It first flew on 12th November 1923 by D F Denisov.
Wing span: 10.1 m / Length: 6.2 m / Height: 1.9 m / Wing Area: 16 sq m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 6.8 / Empty Weight: 70 kg.

AVF-2 (Strizh) - Biplane Glider [1923] {To be confirmed - speculative designation?}
Appeared at the first All Union Glider Evaluations in 1923 as an uncompleted biplane glider, designed by AVF student V S Pyshnov. It had a high aspect ratio wing mounted above the fuselage. The fuselage was internally braced wooden construction of rectangular cross section.
Wing span: 10.2 m / Length : 8.3 m / Height: 1.8 m / Wing Area: 12.5 sq m / Empty Weight: 60 kg.

AVF-3 (Mastyzart) - Single Seat Primary Glider [1923] {To be confirmed - speculative designation?}
High wing design from S.V. Ilyushin.
Wing span: 9.1 m / Length : 5.0 m / Height: 2.45 m / Wing Area: 16.6 sq m / Empty Weight: 32 kg.

AVF-4 (Rabfakovets) - Training Glider [ 1924 ]
A single seater featured at Koktobel 1924, similar to BRO-11 primary trainer. Noted for its slow speed and good handling. Designed by S V Ilyushin as a single seat glider for the 2nd VPI in 1924. It was a derivitive of the Maztyazhart-1 glider with simpler build methods and a more rigid construction.
Wing span: 12.3 m / Length : 6.0 m / Wing Area - 21.5 m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 7.0 / Empty weight - 48 kg.

AVF-5 (Mastysart 2, Maztyazhart-2) - Single seat performance glider [ 1924 ]
Designed by S V Ilyushin and V N Alexeyev it was built at the Heavy Artillery Workshops and differed radically from the earlier Maztyazhart based glider. It was a strutted parasol monoplane with a high aspect ratio wing. The wing was attached to the fuselage by a four strut cabane. This was braced by cables anchored at a small four strut pyramid below the fuselage. It had a pointed nose and a long fuselage which tapered at the tail.
Wing span: 16.0 m / Length : 7.65 m / Height: 2.3 m / Wing Area - 20.5 m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 12.5 / Empty weight - 90 kg.

AVF-6 (Fabzayts, Fabzayat) - Single seat Training Glider [ 1924 ]
Designed by AVF student V F Bolkhovitinov and built at the Dux Aeroplane Works. It was a sesquiplane with negative stagger and a flat fuselage tail section framework. The pilot was located in a small nacelle attached to the lower wing with skids beneath. It had a conventional tail with ailerons fitted to the upper wing.
Wing span: 11.5 Upper 6.2 m Lower / Length : 6.6 m / Height: 2.22 m / Wing Area: 25.0 sq m / Empty Weight: 68 kg.

AVF-7 (Strekoza, Strekoza-Pechatnitsa) - Single seat Training Glider [ 1924 ]
Designed by N D Vostrov in 1924 and appeared at the 2nd VPI. The glider was a braced high wing monoplane made of pine wood with a short tail. The open cockpit was below the wing on struts and between the wide track undercarriage.
Wing span: 14.5 m / Length : 8.3 m / Height: 1.85 m / Wing Area: 30.0 sq m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 8.4 / Empty Weight: 84 kg.

AVF-8 (Kondor) - Single seat Training Glider [ 1924 ]
Designed by V S Vakhmistrov in 1924 and was a braced monoplane with a triangular tailplane with a large rectangular rudder. First flew on 22nd September 1924.
Wing span: 13.8 m / Length : 4.6 m / Height: 1.3 m / Wing Area: 22.6 sq m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 7 / Empty Weight: 70 kg.

 

[Cy-27]

AVF-9 (Krasvoyenlyot Denisov) - Single seat Intermediate Training Glider [ 1924 ]
Designed by V F Denisov who was killed in an air crash before the glider was finished. A parasol monoplane. It had a slab sided fuselage which tapered in the tail section.
Wing span: 13.5 m / Length : 7.0 m / Height: 1.8 m / Wing Area: 20.5 sq m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 8.9 / Empty Weight: 84 kg.

AVF-10 (Pegas, Pegasus) - Single seat Intermediate Glider [ 1924 ]
Built with help from S.V. Ilyushin, this glider was designed by A.S. Yakovlev. After its first flight on 15th September 1924 it was flown almost everyday of the meeting by various pilots. At the end of the event Yakovlev was given a cash reward for his efforts. The glider was a braced high-wing monoplane with a constant chord and relatively thicker airflow section with a rectangular wing, inefficient but easy to design and build.
Wing span: 12.3 m / Length : 6.2 m / Height: 1.21 m / Wing Area: 18 sq m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 8 / Empty Weight: 65 kg / Take-off Weight: 135 kg.

AVF-11 (Komsomolets) - Single seat Training Glider [ 1924 ]
Design from P M Klemeny'yev, a strutted high wing monoplane with an open framework on the fuselage. Pilot was seated in an open nose nacelle attached to the wings by 4 struts.
Wing span: 12.0 m / Length : 5.6 m / Height: 1.3 m / Wing Area: 21.6 sq m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 6.7 / Empty Weight: 70 kg.

AVF-11bis - Two seat Training Glider [ 1925 ]
From the orginal design of the AVF-11, a set of construction plans were produced and slightly modified the original, resulting in the AVF-11bis. In 1925 this led to the construction of a glider at the MosAviaKhim school section.
Wing span: 12.0 m / Length : 5.6 m / Height: 1.3 m / Wing Area: 21.6 sq m.

AVF-12 KIM (Kym) - Single seat Training Glider [ 1924 ] .
Designed by B I Cheranovsky in 1924 and appeared at the 2nd VPI. The glider was cantilever monoplane with a parabolic form of leading edge. At the 2nd VPI it had one short successful tethered flight before crashing, the pilot being uninjured.
Wing Span: 12.00 / Length: 5.80 / Wing Area: 19.5 sq m / Height: 1.10 m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 7.4 / Empty Weight: 72 kg / Wing Loading: 7.4 kg sq m.

AVF-13 Larionych (Laryneks) - Single seat Performance Glider [ 1924 ]
This was a single seat glider designed by I.I. Artamonov. It was named after a student of the AVF who died aircraft crash. It was a cantilever, high wing monoplane with a wing in three main sections with internally strutted spars. It had a constant width fuselage and rounded nose. The main wheel axle was below the cockpit. It won prizes for endurance fllights.
Wing span: 13.0 m / Length : 6.5 m / Wing Area: 19.5 sq m / Height: 1.13 m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 8.7 / Empty Weight: 80 kg / Wing Loading: 7.5 kg sq m.

AVF-13bis - Intermediate Training Glider [ 1924 ]
The AVF-13bis was an intermediate training glider designed by I.I.Artamonov. It was constructed in at a glider section of the Institute of Transport Engineering in Moscow. It was based on the AVF-13 design.
Wing span: 13.0 m / Length : 6.5 m

AVF-14 - Single seat Intermediate Training Glider [ 1924 ]
Penned by S.V.Ilyushin, this was a cantilever, mid-wing monoplane with a curved leading edge. It had a pointed nose and the fuselage tapered toward the tail. The cockpit was located ahead of the wing leading edge. First flew on 22nd September 1924?
Wing span: 15.2 m / Length : 7.43 m / Wing Area: 17.0 sq m / Height: 1.06 m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 13.6 / Empty Weight: 80 kg / Wing Loading: 8.8 kg sq m.

AVF-15 - Glider
No information gathered

 

[Cy-27]

AVF-16 (Zap) - Single seat Intermediate Training Glider [ 1924 ]
This was a single seat glider designed by AVF student G M Naunov. It was a parasol wing monoplane a pair of struts each sides of the fuselage. It had a square tail fin and had an aerodynamically compensated rudder.
Wing span: 13.8 m / Length : 6.0 m / Wing Area: 18.3 sq m / Height: 1.9 m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 10.4 / Empty Weight: 81 kg / Wing Loading: 8.25 kg sq m.

AVF-17 Odnanoch (Odna Nochb, One Night) - Single seat Training Glider [ 1924 ]
Designed by a pair of AVF students N.N. Lenontyev and N.D. Zhemchuzchin. Its name was derived from the fact that its primary design was achieved in one night. It was a braced high wing monoplane with a constant chord wing that was attached to the top of the fuselage of a triangular cross section. The wing was made in three sections connected by bracing cables to te lower fuselage sections and a three-strutted pyramid at the top. It had a small triangular tail fin and had a wide track undercarriage. Maiden flight: 15th September 1924.
Wing span: 15.0 m / Length : 6.3 m / Wing Area: 22.5 sq m / Height: 1.95 m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 10.0 / Empty Weight: 89 kg / Wing Loading: 7.0 kg sq m.

AVF-18 (Pioneer) - Single-seat Glider [ 1924 ]
A simple small light weight glider.
Wing span: 5.64 m / Length : 3.0 m / Wing Area: 14.6 sq m / Empty Weight: 24 kg.

AVF-19 - Performance Glider - Single seat [ 1924 ]
A cantilever high wing monoplane glider of high apect ration designed as a single seat performance glider by AVF students G.F.Burago. The wing was of twinspar construction and weighed 72 kg. The fuselage was of rectangular cross section covered by plywood. The nose section had a streamlined fairing. the fuselage construction consisted of a wooden framework without internal bracing.
Wing span: 16.7 m / Length : 6.6 m / Wing Area: 21.6 sq m / Height: 1.38 m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 12.9 / Empty Weight: 125 kg / Wing Loading: 9.5 kg sq m.

AVF-20 - Intermediate Training Glider - Single seat [ 1925 ]
It was a braced monoplane with a rectangular wing, inefficient but easy to design and build. Almost entirely built from wood it first appeared at the 1925 All Union Glider Competition. It performed well after an inauspicious start with a number of 2. It differed from the AVF-10 in having a modified tail, reduced span and a pointed nose.
Wing span: 13 m / Length : 6.5 m

AVF-21 (Moskva) - Performance Glider - Single seat [ 1925 ]
A cantilever high wing monoplane glider designed as a single seat performance glider by AVF students S.V.Ilyushin, N.N.Leontyev and L.S.Kurin in Moscow.
Wing span: 14.0 m / Length : 6.5 m / Wing Area: 28.0 sq m / Height: 2.5 m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 10.9 / Empty Weight: 117 kg / Wing Loading: 11.0 kg sq m.

AVF-22 (Zmey Gorinych, Zmey Gorenek) - Single seat Performance Glider [ 1925 ]
A cantilever high wing monoplane glider designed as a single seat performance glider by AVF students V.S. Vakhinistrov and M.K. Tikhonravov.
Wing span: 14.35 m / Length : 6.96 m / Wing Area: 19.0 sq m / Height: 1.8 m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 10.8 / Empty Weight: 130 kg / Wing Loading: 11.0 kg sq m.

AVF-23 (Krasnay Presny) - Performance Glider Single seat [ 1925 ]
A cantilever high wing monoplane glider designed by AVF students I.I.Artamonov in Moscow. It was a cantilever high wing monoplane. The centre wing section was of a constant chord with tapered outer wing panels. The fuselage had a rectangular cross section.
Wing span: 13.0 m / Length : 6.4 m / Wing Area: 18.1 sq m / Height: 1.96 m / Wing Aspect Ratio: 18.1 / Empty Weight: 113 kg / Wing Loading: 10.7 kg sq m.

 

[Cy-27]

AVF-24 (Zamoskvoretsky Tekstilshchik) - Experimental Glider [1925]
A single seat glider designed by student V.D.Sorokin and built in Moscow in 1925. Its wings were "unorthodox". The airflow section was made by forming the plywood skin to the required shape and dispensed with using ribs. Also, a cable held the wing onto the the cigar shaped fuselage. The aim of its construction was to practice this technology in the manufacture of the wings.

AVF-25 (Tsentralny Dom Komsomola) - Training Glider [1925]
A single seat glider designed by V.N.Alexeyev and constructed by the gliding section of the Central House of Communistic Education of the Working Youth, in Moscow in 1925. It was a braced training monoplane. During VPI III on 20th September 1925, the glider was damaged at the lower launch site.

AVF-26 - Single Seat Performance Glider [1925]
A cantilever monoplane with sweepback. It was a single seater designed by AVF student M.N.Rodionov and built by MOGES gliding section.

AVF-27 (Valadimirsky Pionyer) - Twin Seat Performance Glider [ 1925 ]
A cantilever high wing monoplane with full span ailerons. These ailerons could operate in unison as flaps. Between the wing and aileron was a profiled slotted gap. It was a twin seater designed by AVF students Ya.M.Kuretskes, V.D.Sorokin and N.P.Korolev. It was built at the Kolchugino Works. Most of the machine was made from Kolchugaluminum except for the skin which was fabric. It was Russia's first metal glider.

AVF-28 (Morlyot Klementyev) - single Seat Training Glider [1925]
A successful glider designed by AVF student V.I.Fonberg and constructed by the gliding section of Tramway Park named after Shchepetilnikov in Moscow. It was a braced monoplane derived from the AVF-11, with its tail framework changed into a fuselage component. During VPI III the glider proved popular and around 30 flights were made.

AVF-29 - Glider
No information gathered

AVF-30 (KiK) - Single Seater Glider [1926]
A glider with a Pr-365 profile desined by A.A.Senekov.
Wing span: 12.0 m / Wing Area: 18.0 sq m / Empty Weight: 105 kg.

... thats all I have, any corrections or additions welcome.

The Krasilshchikov book also has many 3-Views and some evocative period photos.

Sources:
Yakovlev Aircraft Since 1924 (Gordon/Gunston) Putnam ISBN 0851778720
Planery SSSR (Krasilshchikov) Mashinostroenie" ISBN: 5217010487
Samolet AIR (Zasipkin /Udalov) Aviko-Press ISBN: 5863090111

 

[Maveric]

I have this...

 

[Maveric]

... and a plane named in German "Transkaukasier"....

I search for pics and drawings of the AWF. 4 / 5 / 6 / 18 / 19 and 24 up to 30....

Thanks Cy-27 for your great works!!!!

Maveric

 

[hesham]

Very great work my dear Cy-27.

 

[redstar72]

I search for pics and drawings of the AWF. 4 / 5 / 6 / 18 / 19 and 24 up to 30....

Hi all!
Here are AVF-27 Vladimirsky Pioner (the world's first full-metal glider, according to Krasilschikov) and AVF-30 KiK photos, both from Krasilschikov book "Gliders of USSR". The man in AVF-30 cockpit is its designer, Anatoly Sen'kov.

By the way, the "Transkaukasier" (in Russian it is named Zakavkazets /Закавказец) is NOT an AVF design. This glider was designed by Alexander Chesalov by the order of Transcaucasian Osoaviakhim section. In August 1925 it was sent to Germany with Soviet team to participate in 6th Rhön gliding contest (together with Kiev-built KPIR-4 and three AVF gliders - AVF-21, 22 and 23) - therefore the name is written in German. The Zakavkazets was piloted by Leonid Jungmeister and took 1st prize for flight endurance among single-seat gliders - 1 hour 45 minutes 16 seconds.

 

[redstar72]

Yes: AVF-15 is another designation of Cheranovsky BICh-2. I think many of you recognized it on the picture posted by Maveric.

 

[Maveric]

Thanks redstar72!

 

[hesham]

From Kryl'ya Rodine 7/2003,


here is all the AVF list,include the AVF.15,AVF.29 and up to AVF.35.

 

[hesham]

Hi,

here is A.W.F.12;

http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k97675232.r=document%20aeronautique?rk=21459;2

 

[igor-mich]

AVF-6

 

[igor-mich]

AVF-18

 

[hesham]

Nice find my dear Igor.

 

[igor-mich]

AVF-19

 

[igor-mich]

AVF-28

 

[hesham]

Really interested pictures,thank you my dear Igor.