BFW M.26

Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW)
Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1920 in Germany
Headquarters	Germany

Template:Infobox aircraft The BFW M.26 was a lightweight, single-engine monoplane with cantilever wings, constructed in Germany during 1930. Only one unit was ever produced, as it did not enter commercial service.

Design and development

The BFW M.26^[1] was engineered as a small civil aircraft intended to accommodate two to three passengers inside a fully enclosed cabin. The pilot's compartment was also enclosed for protection and comfort. Featuring a high-wing cantilever monoplane configuration, its design followed the lineage of Messerschmitt’s earlier models such as the successful BFW M.18 and BFW M.20, as well as the less commercially successful BFW M.24, albeit in a more compact form. The fuselage exhibited the characteristic Messerschmitt square cross-section that tapered smoothly toward the tail, which was distinguished by sharply defined vertical fin and rudder surfaces. The rudder’s base was cut away to permit full movement of the single-piece elevator. The landing gear employed a split-axle arrangement for the main wheels.

Propulsion was provided by a 100 hp (45 kW) Siemens Sh 11 radial engine, installed without a cowling, leaving the seven cylinder heads exposed to optimize cooling. This engine drove a two-blade propeller.^[1]

The aircraft’s maiden flight occurred in 1930; however, production did not proceed beyond the prototype stage, with only one M.26 constructed. A proposed variant, designated M.30, was planned to feature a more powerful 175 hp (130 kW) Wright Whirlwind engine but was never realized.^[1]