Little known Lithuanian aircraft

[Stargazer]

I am by no means conversant with the aviation of Baltic countries, but I have a handful of Lithuanian aircraft on my HD, all from the 1980s... perhaps these may be of interest to some? Maybe some more light could be shed upon them?

• Kyansgayl Aushra
• Kizhis Varnye
• Konchus Antis
• Vaineikis Exzotica

 

[Cy-27]

I have the two seat agricultural aeroplane Kyansgayl Aushra recorded as the Kensgaila VK-8 Aushza or Austa (Sunrise).

Design of this two seat agricultural homebuilt was undertaken by Vladas Kensgaila in Lithuania. Work began in 1987 and the construction of the prototype began in 1989 and later that year the VK-8 appeared at the 5th National Homebuilt Convention held at Riga. At that time it was the largest homebuilt in the Soviet Union and carried the Lithuanian registration LY-21. The designer was hopeful of series production.

It was an aircraft designed for agricultural, training and transport roles, and conformed to experimental regulations. It was
a strut-braced low-wing monoplane, of composite construction. It had three axis control plus flaps and leading edge slats. Spray booms were carried below the wing trailing edges ahead of the ailerons. The undercarriage was not retractable and the main wheels were fitted with trouser fairings and brakes.

It had a high raised cockpit, slightly forward of the wing which gave a good view. A 800 litre container was carried behind the cockpit and the VK-8 could spray a swathe of 30 metres width. The Vedeneyev 360 hp radial engine drove a two bladed variable pitch wooden propeller with reduction gearing. The airscrew diameter was 2.75 m. Either the M-14P or M-14PS could be fitted.

Designed as a potential An-2 replacement, only one was built. It fully complied to FAR 23 standards. Alternative versions were for patrol, photography and fire fighting roles.

General Characteristics


ENGINE: 1 x Vedeneyev M-14P Radial (268kW)
WING SPAN: 14.85 m
LENGTH: 9.57 m
HEIGHT: 3.74 m
WING AREA: 28.4 sq m
EMPTY WEIGHT: 1,140 kgs
MAXIMUM TAKE OFF WEIGHT: 2,200 kgs
MAXIMUM FUEL: 180 litres
MAXIMUM PAYLOAD: 1,000 kgs
ACCOMODATION: 2
CRUISING SPEED: 180 km/ph
ECONOMIC CRUISING SPEED: 160 km/ph
MAXIMUM SPEED: 220 km/ph
STALL SPEED: 70 km/ph
RANGE: 450 kms
ENDURANCE: 3 hours 40 minutes
SERVICE CEILING: 4,000 m
TAKE-OFF RUN: 60 m
LANDING RUN: 40 m
FIRST FLIGHT: 1989
RATE OF CLIMB: 300 m per minute
G STRESS: +3.5 & -2.0
AIRSCREW DIAMETER: 2.75 m


Sources

Janes All The Worlds Aircraft 1991-92 (Edited by J.W.R. Taylor)
Air International October 1996 [Page 251]

 

[Cy-27]

Following on from the post from Skyblazer and my reply about the VK-8, here is another offering from Vladas Kensgaila in Lithuania.

Kensgaila VK-9 (Utility Transport)

Lithuanian Vladas Kensgaila began work on the prototype VK-9 in 1994. Compared to contemporary aircraft like the Tu-24, it looked very modern with a streamlined fuselage, winglets and a retractable tricycle landing gear. Much of the aeroplanes structure was made of class fibre plastic composite material. It was a low wing monoplane and was built at the Kensgaila Aircraft Plant (factory?) at the former Lithuanian Air National Guard field at Stetiskiai near Paneveyzs.

General Characteristics

ENGINE: 1 x M-14PS (360 hp)
WING SPAN: 14.0 m
LENGTH: 10.24 m
HEIGHT: 3.94 m
WING AREA: 26 sq m
EMPTY WEIGHT: 1,200 kgs
MAXIMUM TAKE OFF WEIGHT: 2,400 kgs
ACCOMODATION: 6 passengers

PERFORMANCE -
CRUISING SPEED: 350 km/ph
RANGE: 2,000 kms with 45 minutes reserve
TAKE-OFF RUN: 200 m
LANDING RUN: 250 m
FIRST FLIGHT: 1996
PRODUCTION: 1
G-LIMITS: +5 / -2.5

Source:

Air International October 1996 [Page 251]

 

[walter]

Hi Cy-27
Thank you for your excellent and detailed post. I am somewhat puzzled on the VK-9 as I always though this was a "Cessna"" like twin with two Lycoming O-540s. Please see attached photo of LY-VRK.
Where did I go wrong?

 

[hesham]

Great Info my dears Cy-27 and Walter,

it seemed to be this designer had a nine aircraft,the VK-1,VK-2 & VK-3 were a training gliders,
VK-4,VK-5 & VK-6 were a light airplanes,VK-7 was an experimental aircraft.

http://www.panevezys.lt/lt/naujienos/miesto-garbes-pilieciu-ytc2.html

 

[Cy-27]

Walter, I don't have the issue of the Air International easily accessible, but it may be a transcription error by me (original card notes to a book then later to computer files). The single engine I stated seems a little light weight for 6 passengers and Western engines may have been fitted to make it more marketable.

 

[walter]

To add to the very interesting thread on Mr. V. Kensgailis, please find photos of the VK-4 homebuilt and the VK-6 Lituanica.
The VK-4 Žhuvédra was completed in 1961 and had a 22hp Dnepr M-72 motorcycle engine. The red star on the tail was common due to Lithuania`s Soviet history. The VK-6 was designed/built in co-operation with Mr.
S.Noreika and an externally very accurate replica of the Bellanca Model CH (I-65, CH-300) used in 1933 by Lithuanian pilots Steponas Darius (Darių) and Stasys Girėnas (Girėną) for a 1933 (July 15-17) record breaking flight from New York to Lithuania. Sadly the non-stop flight ended in a fatal crash in Germany (now Poland), killing both aviators. The Lituanica was first flown in 1983 and had an Ivchenko M-14R radial engine.

 

[Apophenia]

Good stuff Walter ... thanks for that! FWIW, my Kensgaila list ...

VK-1 - [Project] 1943 Erelis (Eagle), model only (?)

VK-2 - 1958 single-seat glider

VK-3 - 1959 2-seat parasol primary glider, aka K-20

VK-4 - 1961 Žuvėdra (Seagull) motor-glider

VK-5 - 1975 motorized version of L-13 Blanik

VK-6 - 1983 'Lituanica' replica

VK-7 - 1968 SL-2 'flying laboratory' (twin Blanik)

VK-8 - 1989 Aušra (Dawn) 2-seat agricultural aircraft

VK-9 - 2010 8-seat twin, composite construction
-- Vladas Kensgaila crash-landed LY-VRK, 04 June 2016

 

[walter]

Thank you Apophenia
I guess this is the VK-7 (?). Hope that anyone can share a photo of the VK-5 motorized L-13 Blanik.

 

[Stargazer]

Fabulous work, gentlemen! Fascinating topic, really.

Just want to say something about the name of the VK-8.
Apophenia is right in writing it Aušra, which is pronounced "aushra". The spellings "Aushza" or "Austa" suggested by Cy-27 earlier in the topic are just wrong.

Which reminds me... Anyone with an interest in East European aircraft who regularly handles publications from that part of the world should find some interest in our topic Pronouncing and spelling Eastern European names when in doubt. If you look for it in the future, it is always listed at the top of the "Designations Systems" section.

 

[Maveric]

Is this the VK.5 ?

 

[Stargazer]

Is this the VK.5 ?

I don't think so. [YL-DBS] is a Latvian, not Lithuanian registration (otherwise it would start with LY-).
Registers have this as a 1977 Blanik L-13 (c/n 027027), in fact an L-13M (the motorized version).

 

[dan_inbox]

Thank you Apophenia
I guess this is the VK-7 (?).

Aka Sportinë Aviacija SL-2P test rig for airfoils. It is mentioned in the Let-13 Blanik Wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LET_L-13_Blan%C3%ADk

 

[Stargazer]

This Lithuanian page gives the exact spelling of the designer of the VK- series: Vladas Kensgaila. The spelling "Kensgailos" is only the same name when it's the object and not the subject of the sentence (declinations of nouns depending on their place and role in the sentence are very common in many European languages, a habit that goes back mostly to Roman times and the spread of Latin).

http://lietuvai.lt/wiki/Vladas_Kensgaila

 

[Cy-27]

Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (KPI) Aircraft

On August 21, 1940, with occupation by the Soviet Union, the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic created the Lithuanian University of Kaunas. Post war, it was reorganized into Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (KPI) and Kaunas Medical Institute by the Soviet Union.

The soaring section of Kaunas Polytechnic Institute lead by Jonas Balciunas was very active post war. The students made sailplanes M-1, M-2, KPI-1, KPI-2, KPI-3, KPI-4 and KPI-5 all led by designer Antanas Kuzmickas. In a number of online sources the gliders are referred to as “Kuzmickas KPI-“ etc.

In 1959 saw the Kaunas Polytechnic Institute KPI-6 powered aeroplane make an appearance. Led by Zenomas Brazauskas and engineer Juozas Zujus. Later Zujus (1930-2020) was one of the few Lithuanians to teach at the Moscow Aviation Institute.

The Aircraft:

Name: Kaunas Polytechnic Institute M-1 "Mechanikas" (Mechanic)
Purpose: Basic Glider

Description: Designer Antanas Kuzmickas was born on 7 July 1925 in Gaveikiai, Lithuania and died 11 April 2012 aged 86. He was a Lithuanian mechanical engineer, glider pilot and glider designer. After seeing gliding post-war in the winter of 1951 his first glider was completed and named M-1 (Mechanic-1).

Fellow University enthusiasts bought a rubber shock absorber and started flying over the banks of the Nemunas. Although the glider was involved in an accident and was damaged, it was repaired again by the glider students themselves. The M-1 was lifted into the air by a shock absorber catapult system.

Year: 1952
In the name of the constructor: A.Kuzmickas
Wing length: 10.00 m
Wing area: 16.00 sq m
Profile: 7.2
Wing load 10.60 kg / m2
Weight: 89 kg
Aerodynamic quality: 11
Sink rate: 1.15 m/sec

Name: Kaunas Polytechnic Institute M-2 "Mechanikas-2" (Mechanic-2)
Purpose: Basic Glider

Description: After the M-1, another glider, the M-2, with a semi-covered gondola-type cockpit was designed by Kuzmickas as a training glider.

It was flown from the slopes of Kulautuva, where the M-2 and Kuzmickas suffered two more serious accidents but was successfully repaired again.

Under favourable meteorological conditions, the Kuzmickas, as well as gliders engineers V. Drupas, L. Aleksandravičius and others stayed in the air for a few hours. Like the earlier M-1, the M-2 was e lifted into the air by a shock absorber system.

Year: 1953
In the name of the constructor: A. Kuzmickas
Wing length: 11.0 m
Wing area: 15.70 sq/m
Profile:7.7
Wing load: 11 kg/m2
Weight: 90 kg
Aerodynamic quality: 15.6
Sink rate: 0.92 m/sec

Name: Kaunas Polytechnic Institute KPI-1
Purpose: Training Glider

Description: Encouraged by his first achievements, A. Kuzmickas designed his first dedicated training glider, the pioneer of the great KPI series gliders the KPI-1. The Institute was a continued support for the gliders of the Antanas Kuzmickas.

The KPI-1 was lifted into the air by a self-propelled tow truck. This glider was not rebuilt after an accident.

Year: 1954
In the name of the constructor: A. Kuzmickas

Name: Kaunas Polytechnic Institute KPI-2
Purpose: Training Glider

Description: When the KPI-1 was not rebuilt after its accident the next design, the KPI-2, proved to be a failure.

Year: 1954
In the name of the constructor: A. Kuzmickas


Name: Kaunas Polytechnic Institute KPI-3 "Gintaras"(Amber)
Purpose: Training Glider

Description: The KP-3 was one of the best works of an aircraft designer. The sleek KPI-3 Gintaras was characterized by agility, climbed well, and rose to a height of up to 1,000 metres above the starting point in Kulautuva. It served a long time for the gliders of the institute and it was as if specially constructed for the specific conditions found at Kulautuva.

Year: 1955
In the name of the constructor: A. Kuzmickas
Wing length: 9.20 m
Wing area: 9.2 sq m
Profile: 10.8
Wing load: 19.9 kg/m2
Empty weight: 85 kg
Loaded weight: 175 kg
Aerodynamic quality: 18.5
Sink rate: 1.16 m/sec

Name: Kaunas Polytechnic Institute KPI-4 "Genys" (Woodpecker)
Purpose: Glider

Description: An unsuccessful design which formed the basis of the KPI-5 which carried on the “Genys” name. Possibly not completed.

Year:1957
In the name of the constructor: A. Kuzmickas
Wing length: 12.00
Wing area: 9.08 sq m
Profile: Göttingen 535
Sink rate: 0.9 m/s at 65 km/h

Name: Kaunas Polytechnic Institute KPI-5 "Genys" (Woodpecker)
Purpose: Training Glider

Description: In 1958 near Prienai, Kuzmickas saw his new glider KPI-5 in front of the Soviet state commission for evaluation. It was deemed a high-class device with good flight characteristics, aerodynamic shapes, designed together with KPI graduate engineer S. Jonušonis , who performed a large part of aerodynamic and endurance calculations, worked a lot with the project drawings.

Kuzmickas constructed the fuselage and the tail, with Janušonis working on the wings. The fuselage of the new glider was the same shape as KPI-4, only longer and with a glass cover, the wings were springy, but longer (12 m) and wider (1.2 m). The profiles were also different an R-III with a transition at the ends for better quality at higher glide speeds.

The construction of KPI-5 was disrupted when Kuzmickas in March 1958 was transferred to Vilnius as the Chief Engineer of the Grinding Machine Factory. This was the last fruit of A. Kuzmickas' constructive activity, as a number of excellent Soviet and foreign construction apparatus appeared in the Republic.

Year: 1958
In the name of the constructor: A. Kuzmickas & S Janušonis
Wing length: 12.0 m
Wing area: 13.2 sq m
Profile: 12.0
Wing load: 16.5 kg/m2
Empty weight: 128 kg
Operating weight: 213 kg
Aerodynamic quality: 20
Sink rate: O.85 m/sec
Wing Profile: R-III

Name: Kaunas Polytechnic Institute KPI-6
Purpose: Light aircraft

Description: In 1959 saw the Kaunas Polytechnic Institute KPI-6 powered aeroplane make an appearance. Led by Zenomas Brazauskas and Juozas Zujus. Later Zujus (1930-2020) was one of the few Lithuanians to teach at the Moscow Aviation Institute.

Year: 1959
In the name of the constructor: Z.Brazauskas & J.Zujus
Wing length: 9.0 m
Fuselage length: 6.9 m
Wing area: 12.4 sq m
Ceiling: 3000 m
Speed: 158 km/h
Landing speed: 69 km/h

Sources:

Sparnai Magazine 1972-1976

VGC Lithuania

j2mcl-planeurs.ne

 

[Cy-27]

KPI-6 aeroplane 3-View from Plieno Sparnai 07

 

[Retrofit]

VK-9 - 2010 8-seat twin, composite construction
-- Vladas Kensgaila crash-landed LY-VRK, 04 June 2016

Note: This aircraft is now preserved by the Kaunas Aviation Museum.

 

[Trident]

VK-9 - 2010 8-seat twin, composite construction

Darn... there I was, poised to make a joke about its aluminium-Lithuanian airframe and then this

 

[Stargazer]

Kishonas Garnis:

 

[Stargazer]

Lietuviškos Aviacinės Konstrukcijos LAK-X (1989):

Source: Sparnai No. 83 (1989)​

 

[Stargazer]

The little-known monoplanes of engineer J. Dobkevičius during the 1920s (three-view arrangements in attachments):

"Dobi" I



"Dobi" II



"Dobi" III

 

[hesham]

The little-known monoplanes of engineer J. Dobkevičius during the 1920s (three-view arrangements in attachments):

"Dobi" I

View attachment 726548

"Dobi" II

View attachment 726549

"Dobi" III

View attachment 726550

That's a Prewar aircraft,and we displayed them before here,

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/dobkeviciaus-i-iii-touring-and-fighter-aircraft.21514/#post-212928

 

[Stargazer]

That's a Prewar aircraft,and we displayed them before here,

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/dobkeviciaus-i-iii-touring-and-fighter-aircraft.21514/#post-212928

Oh, sorry! I hadn't found them using the search engine, because you wrongly spelt the name (it's Dobkevičius, not "Dobkeviciaus" — pronounced "Dob-KEH-vitsh-ios"). Could a moderator move these posts to the proper topic? Thanks.

 

[Cy-27]

Following on from Stargazer's post #20 (https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/little-known-lithuanian-aircraft.27404/#post-673555) on the Lietuviškos Aviacinės Konstrukcijos LAK-X, attached is an Avia Baltika handout on the type from a Farnborough Trade Show in the early 1990's.

 

[Stargazer]

Following on from Stargazer's post #20 (https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/little-known-lithuanian-aircraft.27404/#post-673555) on the Lietuviškos Aviacinės Konstrukcijos LAK-X, attached is an Avia Baltika handout on the type from a Farnborough Trade Show in the early 1990's.

Thanks a lot for this one!
Yes, the LAK-X ended up being produced. Here is a set of images I've collected.