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Malmö MFI-9 Junior

January 01, 1970

The Malmö Flygindustri MFI-9 Junior was a light aircraft produced in Sweden in the 1960s. The aircraft was also produced under licence in West Germany as the Bölkow Bo 208.

MFI-9 Junior
A Malmö MFI-9, (SE-CPG), at Uetersen Airport, Germany
Role Primary trainer
Manufacturer Malmö Flygindustri
Designer Björn Andreasson [sv]
Built by Bölkow (under licence)
First flight 10 October 1958
Introduction 9 August 1962
Variants Saab Safari

Development edit

The BA-7 was designed by Björn Andreasson [sv] and flown by him in prototype form on 10 October 1958. He built this first plane in his spare time while working for Convair in the United States. It was powered by an air-cooled Continental A-75 engine giving 56 kW (75 hp) driving a two-bladed variable-pitch propeller. The shoulder wings were forward swept to place occupants ahead of the spar for visibility.[1]

In 1960 Andreasson returned to Sweden and started working at Malmö Flygindustri where he designed an improved version of the BA-7 that went into production as the MFI-9 Junior. Changes included a larger cockpit and the powerplant was now a Continental O-200-A flat-four-cylinder air-cooled piston engine giving 75 kW (100 HP). In 1963 it was followed by the MFI-9B Trainer and then the MFI-9B Mili-Trainer.

The MFI-9 uses a tricycle undercarriage.

Between 1963 and 1971, 210 Bölkow Bo 208s were built under licence by Bölkow Apparatebau GmbH in Laupheim, Germany. Many examples survive in private hands and are most commonly found in Germany, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. A limited number of airworthy examples can be found in both the United States and New Zealand.

The most widely produced variant of the Bo 208 is the Bo 208C, which used a Continental O-200-A flat-four-cylinder air-cooled piston engine giving 75 kW (100 HP). A number of O-200 engines installed on Juniors were licence-built by Rolls-Royce in England.

 
A 1966 Bölkow Bo 208C Junior, G-BSME (596), at Rotterdam Airport, The Netherlands

MiniCOINs edit

One variant of the MFI-9 which gained widespread fame was the MiniCOIN (an acronym for "Miniature Counter-Insurgency"), a modification of the MFI-9B military trainer variant of the MFI-9, adapted to carry weapons.

The name and concept originated with Carl Gustaf von Rosen, who realized that in a low intensity conflict even a few small, minimally armed aircraft are capable of having a significant impact. Light aircraft are in any event more suitable for operation in the primitive conditions typical in such conflicts. Von Rosen was familiar with the military trainer version of the MFI-9, which was robust enough to be able to carry significant loads of ordnance suspended from hard points on the wings.

A number of MFI-9Bs had been constructed in hopes of a sale to the Swedish Air Force, but when the sale fell through, the aircraft became available at a low price. So in May 1969, von Rosen formed a squadron of five MiniCOINs to fight in the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) on the side of the Biafrans in support of their effort to create an independent state.[2]

Von Rosen had the planes painted in camouflage colours and fitted with rockets from Matra, and proceeded with a band of friends to form a squadron called Biafra Babies to strike at the airfields from which the federal Nigerian Air Force launched their attacks against the civilian population in Biafra. On 22 May 1969, and over the next few days, Von Rosen and his five aircraft launched attacks against Nigerian airfields at Port Harcourt, Enugu, Benin and other small airports. The Nigerians were taken by surprise and a number of expensive jets, including a few MiG-17 fighters and three of Nigeria's six Ilyushin Il-28 bombers, were destroyed on the ground.[3]

The pilots included Lynn Garrison among a group of other mercenaries[4] and Biafran-born pilots.[2] Lynn Garrison co-ordinated the attacks, personally destroying an Ilyushin Il-28 and a MiG-17 during the first raid on Port Harcourt.

The MiniCOINs saw extensive service during most of the war, including the delivery of food aid drops. Garrison introduced a supply-dropping procedure learned in northern Canada. A bag of grain was enclosed in a larger bag before dropping; when the load hit the ground, the inner bag would rupture, while the outer bag contained the contents. Many lives were saved through air drops using this simple concept.

A total of 18 were supplied.[5]

Variants edit

  • MFI-9 – Two-seat primary trainer aircraft. 25 built.
    • Bölkow Bo 208 – MFI-9 produced under licence by Bölkow in Germany. 200 built.
  • MFI-9B Trainer – Two-seat sports, primary trainer aircraft. 43 built.
    • Biafra Baby – Five MFI-9Bs armed with six French SNEB 68 mm (2.68") unguided folding-fin rockets with armor-piercing warheads under each wing.
  • MFI-9B Mili-Trainer – Two-seat primary trainer, light-attack aircraft. Two prototypes built. Ten aircraft leased by the Swedish Air Force 1966–68 for evaluation as a primary trainer only.

Military operators edit

  Biafra
  Sweden

Specifications (MFI-9B) edit

 

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66[6]

General characteristics

  • Crew: Two
  • Length: 5.85 m (19 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 7.43 m (24 ft 5 in)
  • Height: 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
  • Wing area: 8.70 m2 (93.6 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 6:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 23008.5 (mod.)
  • Empty weight: 340 kg (750 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 575 kg (1,268 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 80 L (21 US gal; 18 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce/Continental O-200-A air-cooled flat-four engine, 75 kW (100 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 236 km/h (147 mph, 127 kn) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 215 km/h (134 mph, 116 kn) (econ. cruise)
  • Stall speed: 80 km/h (50 mph, 43 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 305 km/h (190 mph, 165 kn)
  • Range: 800 km (500 mi, 430 nmi) (with maximum payload)
  • Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,800 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 4.3 m/s (850 ft/min)

See also edit

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ "The BA-7". Sport Aviation. July 1959.
  2. ^ a b Jowett 2016, p. 18.
  3. ^ "[Biafra] Biafra: Killer Cessnas and Crazy Swedes". Nigeriavillagesquare.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  4. ^ in Time Magazine 25 October 1968
  5. ^ Jowett 2016, p. 19.
  6. ^ Taylor 1965, p. 121

Bibliography edit

  • Jowett, Philip (2016). Modern African Wars (5): The Nigerian-Biafran War 1967-70. Oxford: Osprey Publishing Press. ISBN 978-1472816092.
  • Simpson, R. W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing. p. 85.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1965). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66. London: Samson Low, Marston.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 192.
  • (retrieved February 23, 2008)

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Malmö Flygindustri MFI-9.
  • SAAB Trainers: Safir, SAAB 105, & Supporter

January 01, 1970
malmö, junior, malmö, flygindustri, junior, light, aircraft, produced, sweden, 1960s, aircraft, also, produced, under, licence, west, germany, bölkow, junior, malmö, uetersen, airport, germany, role, primary, trainer, manufacturer, malmö, flygindustri, designe. The Malmo Flygindustri MFI 9 Junior was a light aircraft produced in Sweden in the 1960s The aircraft was also produced under licence in West Germany as the Bolkow Bo 208 MFI 9 Junior A Malmo MFI 9 SE CPG at Uetersen Airport Germany Role Primary trainer Manufacturer Malmo Flygindustri Designer Bjorn Andreasson sv Built by Bolkow under licence First flight 10 October 1958 Introduction 9 August 1962 Variants Saab Safari Contents 1 Development 1 1 MiniCOINs 2 Variants 3 Military operators 4 Specifications MFI 9B 5 See also 6 References 6 1 Notes 6 2 Bibliography 7 External linksDevelopment editThe BA 7 was designed by Bjorn Andreasson sv and flown by him in prototype form on 10 October 1958 He built this first plane in his spare time while working for Convair in the United States It was powered by an air cooled Continental A 75 engine giving 56 kW 75 hp driving a two bladed variable pitch propeller The shoulder wings were forward swept to place occupants ahead of the spar for visibility 1 In 1960 Andreasson returned to Sweden and started working at Malmo Flygindustri where he designed an improved version of the BA 7 that went into production as the MFI 9 Junior Changes included a larger cockpit and the powerplant was now a Continental O 200 A flat four cylinder air cooled piston engine giving 75 kW 100 HP In 1963 it was followed by the MFI 9B Trainer and then the MFI 9B Mili Trainer The MFI 9 uses a tricycle undercarriage Between 1963 and 1971 210 Bolkow Bo 208s were built under licence by Bolkow Apparatebau GmbH in Laupheim Germany Many examples survive in private hands and are most commonly found in Germany the United Kingdom and Scandinavia A limited number of airworthy examples can be found in both the United States and New Zealand The most widely produced variant of the Bo 208 is the Bo 208C which used a Continental O 200 A flat four cylinder air cooled piston engine giving 75 kW 100 HP A number of O 200 engines installed on Juniors were licence built by Rolls Royce in England nbsp A 1966 Bolkow Bo 208C Junior G BSME 596 at Rotterdam Airport The Netherlands MiniCOINs edit One variant of the MFI 9 which gained widespread fame was the MiniCOIN an acronym for Miniature Counter Insurgency a modification of the MFI 9B military trainer variant of the MFI 9 adapted to carry weapons The name and concept originated with Carl Gustaf von Rosen who realized that in a low intensity conflict even a few small minimally armed aircraft are capable of having a significant impact Light aircraft are in any event more suitable for operation in the primitive conditions typical in such conflicts Von Rosen was familiar with the military trainer version of the MFI 9 which was robust enough to be able to carry significant loads of ordnance suspended from hard points on the wings A number of MFI 9Bs had been constructed in hopes of a sale to the Swedish Air Force but when the sale fell through the aircraft became available at a low price So in May 1969 von Rosen formed a squadron of five MiniCOINs to fight in the Nigerian Civil War 1967 1970 on the side of the Biafrans in support of their effort to create an independent state 2 Von Rosen had the planes painted in camouflage colours and fitted with rockets from Matra and proceeded with a band of friends to form a squadron called Biafra Babies to strike at the airfields from which the federal Nigerian Air Force launched their attacks against the civilian population in Biafra On 22 May 1969 and over the next few days Von Rosen and his five aircraft launched attacks against Nigerian airfields at Port Harcourt Enugu Benin and other small airports The Nigerians were taken by surprise and a number of expensive jets including a few MiG 17 fighters and three of Nigeria s six Ilyushin Il 28 bombers were destroyed on the ground 3 The pilots included Lynn Garrison among a group of other mercenaries 4 and Biafran born pilots 2 Lynn Garrison co ordinated the attacks personally destroying an Ilyushin Il 28 and a MiG 17 during the first raid on Port Harcourt The MiniCOINs saw extensive service during most of the war including the delivery of food aid drops Garrison introduced a supply dropping procedure learned in northern Canada A bag of grain was enclosed in a larger bag before dropping when the load hit the ground the inner bag would rupture while the outer bag contained the contents Many lives were saved through air drops using this simple concept A total of 18 were supplied 5 Variants editMFI 9 Two seat primary trainer aircraft 25 built Bolkow Bo 208 MFI 9 produced under licence by Bolkow in Germany 200 built MFI 9B Trainer Two seat sports primary trainer aircraft 43 built Biafra Baby Five MFI 9Bs armed with six French SNEB 68 mm 2 68 unguided folding fin rockets with armor piercing warheads under each wing MFI 9B Mili Trainer Two seat primary trainer light attack aircraft Two prototypes built Ten aircraft leased by the Swedish Air Force 1966 68 for evaluation as a primary trainer only Military operators edit nbsp Biafra Used by the Biafran Air Force during the Biafran War nbsp Sweden Ten MFI 9B Mili Trainers evaluated by the Swedish Air Force Specifications MFI 9B edit nbsp Data from Jane s All The World s Aircraft 1965 66 6 General characteristicsCrew Two Length 5 85 m 19 ft 2 in Wingspan 7 43 m 24 ft 5 in Height 2 00 m 6 ft 7 in Wing area 8 70 m2 93 6 sq ft Aspect ratio 6 1 Airfoil NACA 23008 5 mod Empty weight 340 kg 750 lb Max takeoff weight 575 kg 1 268 lb Fuel capacity 80 L 21 US gal 18 imp gal Powerplant 1 Rolls Royce Continental O 200 A air cooled flat four engine 75 kW 100 hp Performance Maximum speed 236 km h 147 mph 127 kn at sea level Cruise speed 215 km h 134 mph 116 kn econ cruise Stall speed 80 km h 50 mph 43 kn Never exceed speed 305 km h 190 mph 165 kn Range 800 km 500 mi 430 nmi with maximum payload Service ceiling 4 500 m 14 800 ft Rate of climb 4 3 m s 850 ft min See also editAircraft of comparable role configuration and era ARV Super2 Saab SafariReferences editNotes edit The BA 7 Sport Aviation July 1959 a b Jowett 2016 p 18 Biafra Biafra Killer Cessnas and Crazy Swedes Nigeriavillagesquare com Retrieved 2014 07 12 The Mercenaries in Time Magazine 25 October 1968 Jowett 2016 p 19 Taylor 1965 p 121 Bibliography edit Jowett Philip 2016 Modern African Wars 5 The Nigerian Biafran War 1967 70 Oxford Osprey Publishing Press ISBN 978 1472816092 Simpson R W 1995 Airlife s General Aviation Shrewsbury Airlife Publishing p 85 Taylor John W R 1965 Jane s All The World s Aircraft 1965 66 London Samson Low Marston Taylor Michael J H 1989 Jane s Encyclopedia of Aviation London Studio Editions p 192 Fleas versus Falcons over Biafra retrieved February 23 2008 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Malmo Flygindustri MFI 9 SAAB Trainers Safir SAAB 105 amp Supporter Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Malmo MFI 9 Junior amp oldid 1156235111, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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