Weiss WM-21 Sólyom
| WM-21 Sólyom | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Light Bomber/Reconnaissance Biplane |
| National origin | Hungary |
| Manufacturer | Manfred Weiss |
| Introduction | 1939-1945 |
| Number built | 128 |
| Developed from | Weiss WM-16 Budapest |
The Weiss WM-21 Sólyom (English: Falcon) was a 1930s Hungarian light bomber and reconnaissance biplane developed by the Manfred Weiss company from the earlier WM-16 which was based on the Fokker C.V.
Design and development
The WM-21 was designed to replace the WM-16, which was considered unsuitable for operational service. The WM-21's structure was strengthened, and the aircraft received a new, more efficient wing set. A tailskid was fitted to allow for shorter landing runs on grass airfields.[1] A conventional biplane, the Sólyom was powered by a 870 hp (649 kW) Weiss WM-K-14A radial engine.[1] A total of 128 aircraft were built by three different factories, Manfred Weiss built 25, 43 by MAVAG and 60 by MWG.[1]
Operational history
The first aircraft entered service in 1939 with short-range reconnaissance units, although active during the 1940 dispute with Romania their first active operational use was during the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941.[1] From June 1941 they were used to support Hungarian Army units in Ukraine and then against Soviet partisans.[1] Around 80 aircraft were also transferred to duties as trainers, as they were removed from operational use, until 1945.[1]
Operators
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 9.64 m (31 ft 8 in)
- Upper wingspan: 12.90 m (42 ft 4 in)
- Lower wingspan: 9.40 m (30 ft 10 in)
- Height: 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)
- Empty weight: 2,300 kg (5,071 lb)
- Gross weight: 3,400 kg (7,496 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Weiss WM-K-14A radial, 650 kW (870 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 320 km/h (199 mph; 173 kn)
- Range: 750 km (466 mi; 405 nmi)
Armament
- Guns: 3 x 7.9mm (0.31in) Gebauer machine-guns
- Bombs: 12 x 10kg (22lb) Anti-personnel bombs or 60 x 1kg (2.2 lb) incendiary bombs
References
Notes
Bibliography
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.