THK-2

The THK-2 was a single-seat, single-engine aerobatic trainer aircraft developed in Turkey in 1944 intended as an advanced trainer. It was a conventional, low-wing cantilever monoplane with an elliptical planform and of wooden construction. The cockpit was enclosed and the main units of the tailwheel undercarriage retracted backwards into the wing.

Designed by Polish engineers who had come to Turkey to help establish the Türk Hava Kurumu factory, the first prototype flew in 1944 and the second flew the following year. This led to production in series, but only four further examples were built before the project was abandoned. When THK was taken over by MKEK, this was one of the designs selected for further work. However, although the designation MKEK-2 was allocated, nothing further came of this. The THK-2s were used by the Turkish Air Force in their intended role until the mid-1950s.

Specifications

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1951–52

General characteristics

THK-5

The THK-5 was a twin-engine aircraft developed in Turkey in 1945 as an air ambulance. It was a conventional, low-wing cantilever monoplane of wooden construction throughout. The main units of the tailwheel undercarriage retracted into the wing-mounted engine nacelles and the THK-5 could carry two stretcher cases plus a medical attendant. This was followed in production by a six-seat utility transport version designated THK-5A and three examples of an improved version of the 5A designated THK-10. A single example of the type was exported, sold to Denmark.

When THK was taken over by MKEK, this was one of the designs selected for further work. However, although the designation MKEK-5 was allocated, nothing further came of this.

Specifications (THK-5)

Data from "The Turkish Air League", p. 351

General characteristics

MKEK-4

The MKEK-4 Uğur (Turkish: "Luck") was a basic trainer aircraft which was used by the Turkish Air Force between 1955-1963. Originally developed as the THK-15, in total 57 Uğurs were produced in Turkey, all of which were used in the Turkish AF Flight School except three which were donated to the Royal Jordanian Air Force.

Operators

Specifications

Data from Lucky or Not?

General characteristics

Performance

Antonov A-1

The Antonov A-1 and related designs were a family of single-seat training gliders produced in the Soviet Union in the 1930s and 40s. All were derived from the Standard-2 (Стандарт-2) (designed and flown by Oleg Konstantinovich Antonov in 1930), which in turn were derived from the Standard-1. They were produced in large numbers, with around 5,400 built of the U-s3, U-s4 and P-s2 major versions alone. The same design formed the basis for the Antonov A-2 and its related group of two-seat designs. Altogether, including the two-seaters, production exceeded 7,600 by 1937.

While members of the family varied in detail, they shared the same basic design, and parts were interchangeable between them. The design featured a typical primary glider layout with a conventional empennage carried at the end of a long boom in place of a conventional fuselage. The boom could be folded sideways for storage. The monoplane wing was carried high on a pylon above this "keel" and was further braced to it with two struts either side. The pilot sat in front of the wing, and was enclosed in a simple U-shaped wooden fairing that was removed by sliding it forward to allow him or her to enter and leave the craft. The undercarriage consisted of a single skid underneath the "keel", but this could also be fitted with small wooden wheels.