Country of origin:

Russia

Description:

(Su-26): single-seat high-performance unlimited-aerobatics monoplane

(Su-29): two-seat high-performance unlimited-aerobatics monoplane

Power Plant:

One 294 kw (395 hp) Vedeneyev M-14P nine-cylinder, supercharged, geared, air-cooled radial engine

Specifications:

History:

In the early 1980s a programme was commenced in Moscow, Russia to develop a high-performance aerobatic aircraft for competition.  The prototype of the new type, designed by the Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi Design Bureau in Moscow, and known as the Su-26, flew for the first time in June 1984.  In August that year it took part in the World Aerobatic Championships in Hungary.  In 1986 a revised model known as the Su-26M appeared at the World Aerobatic Championships, and the 1987 European Championships, at the latter the Soviet team winning both the men’s and women’s team prizes, the men’s individual prize being taken by Nikolai Nikitiuk.  A modified model known as the Su- 26MX was displayed that year at the Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom, the “X” denoting the export model.  Since then a number have been sold to western aerobatic enthusiasts.

In 1990 a new model known as the Su-29 appeared in Moscow, being available in both single and two-seat variants, having greater wingspan and length over the Su-26, a continuous one-piece canopy over the cockpits, and dual controls. The Su-29M had light-weight ejection seats. The fuselage was of welded truss of high-strength stainless steel tubing with removable skin panels of honeycomb composite materials.  The one-piece two-spar wing was completely made of composite materials based on carbon fibre and organic plastics. More than 50% of the airframe by weight was made of composites.  The firewall, undercarriage struts, rudder pedal foot slides, and a number of other items were constructed of titanium.  Aircraft limits were +12 and –11 G. The Su-26M differed from the Su-26 in having a squared-off vertical tail and less glass area.

The Su-31 first flew in June 1992 and was known initially as the Su-29T, this being a single-seater based on the Su-29 but with a larger wing area of 12.2 m² (127 sq ft).  Variants included the basic Su-31T, the Su-31X for export, Su-31M with the Zvezda ZKS-94 pilot extraction system (ejection seat); and the Su-31U with retractable undercarriage.  Design work on the Su-31 began in 1991.  Two more prototypes and two static test airframes were produced, the first production aircraft being registered as RA-01405.

Power was provided by the Vedeneyev M-14P nine-cylinder four-stroke supercharged radial air-cooled engine which was developed from the Ivchenko AI-14 engine and was of 620 cubic inches capacity.  It had a centrifugal, single-stage, single-speed gear driven supercharger and an automatic mixture type carburettor, power being delivered to the three-blade Muhlbauer MTV-3 propeller via a reduction gearbox.  It had a speed governor, two magnetos, mechanical fuel pump, a generator and an oil pump.  Starting was pneumatic and the aircraft remained fully operational during inverted flight and rotation counter-clockwise.

In 1993 an Su-26M arrived and was assembled in Sydney, NSW painted in “Konika” markings with the registration A06-07. It was followed by another Su-26M A06-11.  Later examples of the Su-29 two-seater were imported, including A74-03 and RA-01478, and these aircraft were seen regularly giving displays at airshows around the country, being operated by local pilots.  In 1995 an Su-31 registered RA-01463 was imported, this being a single-seater.  With a 269 kw (360 hp) engine in basic form, this model could be fitted with an up-rated version of the Vedeneyev engine providing 298 kw (400 hp), the ultimate loadings of this model being +23 and -23 G.

A variant proposed by the parent company, and shown in model form at the 1994 Farnborough Airshow, was the Su-38 agplane/firebomber based on the Su-29/31 airframe, which was expected to fly in 1995.

Further aircraft that have been imported and operated in Australia include Su-26s RA-4453A and RA-01464.  A couple of other Sukhois have visited Australia.  An Su-26 was displayed by the Soviet contingent at the 1988 Bicentennial Airshow at Richmond, NSW; and others have visited for aerobatic championships.  At Easter 2004 an Su-31 (LY-LJK) gave aerobatic displays at Wanaka, NZ, and again at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, VIC in March 2005.

Up until late 2007 all Sukhois in this area were flown with their overseas registrations, but on 23 November that year a Su-29 became ZK-SUK (c/n 75-01 – ex RA3358K) in Albany, NZ.  This aircraft had ownership changed to Mr Phillip R Little of Brightwater on 12 August 2017. However, it was cancelled from the register in early 2018 and exported to the United States where it became N229RM.

On 1 November 2016 an Su-26MX was registered to PRL Agriservices Pty Ltd of Narrabri, NSW as VH-ILB³ (c/n 52-02 – ex N26DN).  In the United States an example became known as the Turbo-Shark.  This was a conversion of a SU-26 MX at Joplin in Missouri by the installation of a Walter M601-T turboprop, the aircraft having a max weight of 1,089 kg (2,400 lb) and 1,270 kg (2,800 lb) of thrust, achieving a rate of climb of 2,286 m/min (7,500 ft/min).