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Permanent Exhibition Other Engine Hall

M. Surmanowicz’s muscle-rotorcraft

Country:Poland
Type:human-powered rotorcraft
Year:1973
Szybowiec Mięsniolot - wiropłat M. Surmanowicza

Mikołaj Surmanowicz, a retired employee of WSK PZL Kalisz, built a rotorcraft at home between 1971 and 1973. It is a structure of steel and duralumin tubing, with a wooden tail and a 2.5-meter-diameter main rotor, weighing 17 kg. In the autumn of 1973 and summer of 1974, the designer conducted tests at the Ostrów Aeroclub airfield, consisting of short jumps, but a full flight was not possible. Further work on the rotorcraft was interrupted by the designer’s death in 1975.

Technical data:

Wingspan
Length5.0 m
Weight17kg
Maximum speed
Ceiling
Range
Armament
Engine