The Brügger MB-1, MB-2 and MB-3 Colibri is a family of small sports aircraft designed in Switzerland in the 1960s and 1970s for amateur construction.[1][2]
| Colibri | |
|---|---|
 MB-2 at Vängsö ESSZ in Sweden in 2006 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Sports plane |
| National origin | Switzerland |
| Designer | |
| Number built | 260+ |
| History | |
| First flight | 1965 |
Design and development
editThe Colibri family are single-seat, low-wing cantilever monoplanes with fixed tailwheel undercarriage powered by a four-cylinder horizontally opposed Volkswagen air-cooled engine automotive conversion.[1][2]
The MB-1 Colibri first flew in 1965 and served as a development aircraft for the definitive MB-2 Colibri 2 that flew in 1970. These aircraft had all-wooden framework with fabric-covered wings and plywood-covered fuselages. The pilot's seat was enclosed by an expansive bubble canopy. In 1976-77, Brügger built and flew an all-metal version as the MB-3. Many examples are actively flying in 2012.
The MB-2 is noted for its handling qualities.[2]
Specifications (MB-2)
editData from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976–77[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 4.80 m (15 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 6.00 m (19 ft 8 in)
- Height: 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 8.20 m2 (88.3 sq ft)
- Airfoil: NACA 23012
- Empty weight: 215 kg (474 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 330 kg (728 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 33 L (7.3 imp gal; 8.7 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Volkswagen air-cooled engine (1600 cc), 30 kW (40 hp)
- Propellers: 2-bladed Brügger fixed-pitch propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
- Cruise speed: 160 km/h (99 mph, 86 kn) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft) (econ. cruise, 75% power)
- Stall speed: 60 km/h (37 mph, 32 kn)
- Range: 500 km (310 mi, 270 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,800 ft)
- Rate of climb: 3.0 m/s (590 ft/min)
- Takeoff and landing run: 200 m (660 ft)
References
edit- ^ a b Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 110. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ a b c Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 116. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ Taylor 1976, p. 479
- Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1976). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-354-00538-3.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 215.
- Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1977-78. London: Jane's Yearbooks. pp. 506–07.