Photograph:
Maule M-5-235C Lunar Rocket VH-BRW (c/n 7229C) at Narromine, NSW in April 2007 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Light general-purpose cabin monoplane
Power Plant:
One 157 kw (210 hp) Continental IO-360-A six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- [M-4C]Wingspan: 9.04 m (29 ft 8 in)
- Length: 6.71 m ((22 ft)
- Height: 1.89 m (6 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 14.2 m² (152.5 sq ft)
- Max speed: 245 km/h (152 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 233 km/h (145 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 230 m/min (700 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 3,658 m (12,000 ft)
- Max range with no reserves: 1,130 km (702 miles)
- Empty weight: 500 kg (1,100 lb)
- Useful load: 379 kg (835 lb)
- Loaded weight: 953 kg (2,100 lb)
History:
The Maule M-4 series of light STOL monoplanes was designed by Belford D Maule for Maule Aircraft Corp in 1960. More than 1,600 examples have been delivered in a variety of models and production continues in Georgia. The prototype flew for the first time on 8 September 1960 and, although the Company initially intended to produce the series in kit form, it in fact has produced it as a complete aircraft. Production of the original series of aircraft ceased in 1975, and production of a new design began in 1979. Type certification for the first series was obtained in 1961, with deliveries of production machines commencing in 1963. Construction of all models has consisted of a steel-tube fuselage with fabric covering, with the mainplanes, engine cowls, ailerons and flaps being metal covered.
The Maule offered performance and economy for its size, and proved very popular with bush pilots in Canada and Alaska, as it was one of the few aircraft which combined true STOL characteristics with low-cost and relatively high-speed economical cruising. Short field performance was provided by two-position flaps of high-lift capability, without spoilers, slots, or other items normally associated with short field performance.
Over the years the Maule M-4 series has been produced in five basic variants. The first production model, the M-4, powered by a 108 kw (145 hp) Continental O-300 six-cylinder engine, was produced until 1966 when it was named Jetasen. In 1965 the M-4 Rocket appeared, powered by a 157 kw (210 hp) Continental IO-360-A six-cylinder engine. Shortly after the Astro-Rocket was released as a deluxe version of the Jetasen fitted with a 134 kw (180 hp) Franklin 6A-335-B1A engine.
The Rocket was built under licence in Mexico as the Cuauhtemoc M1. In 1967 the StrataRocket was added to the range, being fitted with a 164 kw (220 hp) Franklin 6A-350-C1 engine. All aircraft to this stage had the basic M-4 designation. Most recent development in the M-4 series was the M-4-180V which has a Lycoming O-360-C4F engine.
In 1974 the M-5 series was introduced alongside the M-4 series. The first of these was the M-5-210C Lunar Rocket with a 157 kw (210 hp) Continental engine. The 164 kw (220 hp) Franklin 6A-350-C1 engine was also available, and this variant became the M-5-220C. These models differed externally from the M-4 by having four cabin doors to permit easy access for loading and unloading of cargo. The M-5 also had a 30 percent increase in flap area and enlarged tail surfaces.
In 1976 production of the Franklin engine ceased and, to replace it, Maule fitted the 175 kw (235 hp) Lycoming engine to a variant known as the M-5-235C. Further models followed including the M-5-180C Lunar Rocket with a 134 kw (180 hp) Avco Lycoming O-360-C1F engine; M-5-200 Lunar Rocket with a 149 kw (200 hp) Avco Lycoming IO-360 fuel injection engine; and the M-5-210TC Star Rocket cargo version with a 175 kw (235 hp) Avco Lycoming O-540-T1A5D engine.