Rubik R-26 Góbé

The Rubik R-26 Góbé is a family of Hungarian shoulder-wing, two-seat training gliders that was designed by Ernő Rubik Sr. (father of Rubik's Cube inventor Ernő Rubik), and produced by Auto-Aero.[1][2] After its introduction the R-26 Góbé became the de facto training glider type in Hungary and is still used by many clubs for basic instruction.[3]

R-26 Góbé
R-26SU
Role Glider
National origin Hungary
Manufacturer Auto-Aero
Designer Ernő Rubik
First flight 6 May 1961
Introduction 1963
Status Production completed
Number built 195
External image
R-26 in flight
R-26SU instrument panel

Development

One of a series of all-metal gliders designed by Rubik from 1957 onwards, the R-26 Góbé was intended to provide two-seat instruction, with the rear seat raised for a view forward.[1][2][4] Series production started in 1962[5] and the first production aircraft flew in August 1963.[6] Almost 200 were produced.[1][2]

Design

The R-26 Góbé is of predominately aluminium monocoque construction. The wings have a metal D-box ahead of a single main spar, covered in corrugated aluminum alloy sheets, aft of the spar they are covered in doped fabric. The wing has a modified a Goettingen 549 airfoil; the perforated Schempp-Hirth air brakes extend from the upper and lower wing surfaces. The slatted Frise ailerons are covered in doped fabric. The corrugated aluminum sheets on the leading edges proved to be stiff enough, having enabled Rubik to use significantly less ribs and rivets compared to similar all-metal constructions. The result was lower production costs, and - along with the extensive use of fabric on the trailing edges and on the fuselage - an empty weight comparable to that of a single-seat glider. The landing gear consists of a fixed monowheel and a tail skid. The balanced rudder is notably large and effective.[1][2][7]

The V-tail of the first prototype was judged unsuitable for training and was replaced on the second prototype and production aircraft by a conventional unit.[4]

The aircraft controls are attached to the control surfaces with pushrods, the trim handle is attached to the trim tab with bowden cables.

The instructor seat is not equipped with instruments; the rear seat is raised in order to give the instructor a view on the instruments mounted in front of the student. A separate rear seat instrument kit was available as optional equipment, making the glider capable for instrument (IFR) training.[8]

The R-26S was designed to be easy to disassemble for ground transportation via trailer.[2]

Operational history

In all, 193 production Góbés were built, most serving in Hungary. Fifteen were exported to Cuba, one to the United Kingdom and one to Austria.[6]

It was not certified in the United States; the one imported was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the Experimental - Exhibition category.[2][9] As of April 2018, it is privately owned and based in Augusta, New Jersey.[9]

In mid-2010 seventy R-26S and fifty-seven R-26SU remained on the Hungarian civil register.[10]

Variants
R-26P1
First prototype, first flown in May 1961.[5][11] V-tail.[4]
R-26P2
Second prototype, first flown in August 1961.[6] Conventional tail.[4]
R-26S Góbé
Production aircraft, built from 1963.[4] 115 produced.[6]
R-26SU Góbé '82
Modified to meet European/US market requirements. Production begun in 1982, totalling 78.[6]
R-26M Motor Góbé
A two-stroke engine was mounted on one of the R-26S models for experimental purposes. The aircraft was later reverted to standard R-26S configuration.[12]

Aircraft on display

Specifications (R-26S)
R-26S Góbé

Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2] The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs du Monde Volume II[14]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Wingspan: 14.0 m (45 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 18.000 m2 (193.75 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 10.88:1
  • Airfoil: Goettingen 549
  • Empty weight: 230 kg (507 lb)
  • Gross weight: 440 kg (970 lb)

Performance

  • Stall speed: 60 km/h (37 mph, 32 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 92 kn)
  • Rough air speed max: 110 km/h (68.4 mph; 59.4 kn)
  • Aerotow speed: 110 km/h (68.4 mph; 59.4 kn)
  • Winch launch speed: 110 km/h (68.4 mph; 59.4 kn)
  • g limits: +2.8 -1 at 170 km/h (105.6 mph; 91.8 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 23.7:1 at 81 km/h (50.3 mph; 43.7 kn)
  • Rate of sink: 0.96 m/s (189 ft/min) at 75 km/h (46.6 mph; 40.5 kn)
  • Wing loading: 20.56 kg/m2 (4.21 lb/sq ft) at normal gross weight, 22.22 kg/m2 (4.55 lb/sq ft) at maximum take-off weight

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Notes
  1. Activate Media (2006). "Gobe R-26S Auto-Aero". Archived from the original on 8 June 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  2. Said, Bob (November 1983). "1983 Sailplane Directory". Soaring Magazine. Soaring Society of America: 82.
  3. "Hungarian Gliders 1933-2000". Retrieved 13 Oct 2014. Based on this glider a new dual-control instruction system was developed in Hungary, which is in use even today (2004).
  4. Simons, Martin (2006). Sailplanes 1945-1965 (2nd revised ed.). Königswinter: EQIP Werbung & Verlag GmbH. pp. 88–90. ISBN 3 9807977 4 0.
  5. Taylor, John W R (1962). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962-63. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd. p. 328.
  6. "Hungarian Gliders 1933-2000". Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  7. Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  8. Jereb Gábor. Magyar vitorlázó repülőgépek (PDF). Műszaki Könyvkiadó. Retrieved 13 Oct 2014. Az igényesebb repülési feladatok és a műszer szerinti repülés gyakorlásához (ebben az esetben a növendék a hátsó, teljesen befüggönyözhető ülésben ül) az ülések között keresztben húzódó szilárdsági elemre pillanatzárral rögzíthető pótműszerfal illeszthető.
  9. Federal Aviation Administration (July 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results N510AS". Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  10. Partington, Dave (2010). European registers handbook 2010. Air Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 978-0-85130-425-0.
  11. Note:Simons places the first flight in 1960 and "Hungarian Gliders" has it exactly a year earlier than the date in Jane's
  12. "HA-5393". Retrieved 9 Oct 2015. Kísérletként Motor-Góbévá alakították át.
  13. Ogden, Bob (2009). Aviation Museums and Collections of Mainland Europe. Air Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 978 0 85130 418 2.
  14. Shenstone, B.S.; K.G. Wilkinson (1963). The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs du Monde Volume II (in English, French, and German) (1st ed.). Zurich: Organisation Scientifique et Technique Internationale du Vol a Voile (OSTIV) and Schweizer Aero-Revue. pp. 128–129.

Bibliography
  • Ogden, Bob (2009). Aviation Museums and Collections of Mainland Europe. Air Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 978 0 85130 418 2.
  • "Hungarian Gliders 1933-2000". Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  • Taylor, John W R (1962). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962-63. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd. p. 328.
  • Partington, Dave (2010). European registers handbook 2010. Air Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 978-0-85130-425-0.
  • Federal Aviation Administration (July 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results N510AS". Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  • Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  • Simons, Martin (2006). Sailplanes 1945-1965 (2nd revised ed.). Königswinter: EQIP Werbung & Verlag GmbH. pp. 88–90. ISBN 3 9807977 4 0.
  • Said, Bob (November 1983). "1983 Sailplane Directory". Soaring Magazine. Soaring Society of America: 82.
  • Shenstone, B.S.; K.G. Wilkinson (1963). The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs du Monde Volume II (in English, French, and German) (1st ed.). Zurich: Organisation Scientifique et Technique Internationale du Vol a Voile (OSTIV) and Schweizer Aero-Revue. pp. 128–129.
  • Activate Media (2006). "Gobe R-26S Auto-Aero". Retrieved 12 July 2011.
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