Messerschmitt M 17
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1 January 1925 in Bamberg, Germany |
| Founder | Willy Messerschmitt |
| Headquarters | Bamberg , Germany |
The M 17 was a German high-wing monoplane powered by a single engine, developed primarily for sporting purposes. Conceived by Willy Messerschmitt in 1925 in Bamberg, this model achieved numerous competition victories, enabling Messerschmitt to establish his initial manufacturing facility.
Development
The M 17's design lineage can be traced back through the powered S 16 and S 15 models to the glider Messerschmitt-Hirth S 14.[1] Constructed almost entirely from wood, this two-seat aircraft had an empty weight of just 198 kg (437 lb). It was equipped with a Bristol Cherub II engine delivering 22 kW (29 hp). Notably, the pilot's seat lacked direct forward visibility.
In September 1926, aviator Eberhard von Conta alongside writer Werner von Langsdorff completed a flight from Bamberg to Rome aboard an M 17. This journey represented the inaugural crossing of the central Alps by a light aircraft. The trip extended over fourteen hours, with refueling stops approximately every three hours due to the limited fuel capacity of 28 L (7 US gal). During this expedition, they attained an altitude of up to 4,500 m (14,760 ft).
Survivors/Replicas
Out of the six to eight units produced, only one example remains intact and is preserved at the Deutsches Museum in Munich.[2]
A reproduction constructed by the Messerschmitt Foundation first took flight on April 14, 2004. This replica frequently participates in the International Aerospace Exhibition held in Berlin. Due to added equipment such as radio communication and a rescue system, it weighs approximately 40 kg (90 lb) more than the original model. Presently, it is exhibited at the Manching Aviation Museum located in Ingolstadt, Bavaria.
Specifications
See also
References
External links
- M-17 at Ugolok Neba – images and technical drawings
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- Messerschmitt aircraft
- 1920s German sport aircraft
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- Single-engined tractor aircraft
- High-wing aircraft
- Aircraft first flown in 1925
- Single-engined piston aircraft
- Aircraft with auxiliary rocket engines