The TOM-8 was a prototype Czechoslovak single-engined two-seat training aircraft of the 1950s. It was designed by the VZLU, the Czechoslovak national aeronautic research institute for the Czechoslovak Air Force, with a prototype flying in 1956, but production plans were abandoned in 1960.
In the mid-1950s, the Czechoslovak Air Force had a requirement to replace its Aero C-11 trainers, a licence-built version of the Soviet Yakovlev Yak-11. The design of the new aircraft was allocated to a team at the VZLU,[a], led by Karel Tomáš, who had previously served as chief designer for Tatra's aviation department, and later for Zlín, where he designed the Zlín Z 26 trainer.[2][3]
The resulting design, designated TOM-8 after Tomáš, and also known as the L-8,[3] was a low-winged monoplane of all metal construction,[b] powered by a single 235 hp (175 kW) Praga Doris C air-cooled six-cylinder horizontally-opposed piston engine. Student and instructor sat in tandem in an enclosed cockpit, with the student in the front seat, and were provided with dual controls. The aircraft had a retractable tricycle landing gear.[5]
The first TOM-8 made its maiden flight on 23 April 1956,[2][3] but development was slowed by engine problems, and plans for production at the Moravan Otrokovice works (where Zlín aircraft were built[6]) were abandoned in 1960.[2]
Bridgman, Leonard (1958). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958–59. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd.
Gunston, Bill (2005). World Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers (2nd ed.). Stroud, UK: Sutton Publishing. ISBN0-7509-3981-8.
Němeček, Václav (16 October 1956). "Představujeme vám letadlo TOM-8". Křídla vlasti (in Czech). Vol. 1956, no. 21. pp. 656–657. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
March 16, 2024
vzlu, prototype, czechoslovak, single, engined, seat, training, aircraft, 1950s, designed, vzlu, czechoslovak, national, aeronautic, research, institute, czechoslovak, force, with, prototype, flying, 1956, production, plans, were, abandoned, 1960, 8role, train. The TOM 8 was a prototype Czechoslovak single engined two seat training aircraft of the 1950s It was designed by the VZLU the Czechoslovak national aeronautic research institute for the Czechoslovak Air Force with a prototype flying in 1956 but production plans were abandoned in 1960 TOM 8Role Training aircraftNational origin CzechoslovakiaManufacturer VZLUFirst flight 23 April 1956Status Prototype Contents 1 Design and development 2 Specifications 3 Notes 4 ReferencesDesign and development editIn the mid 1950s the Czechoslovak Air Force had a requirement to replace its Aero C 11 trainers a licence built version of the Soviet Yakovlev Yak 11 The design of the new aircraft was allocated to a team at the VZLU a led by Karel Tomas who had previously served as chief designer for Tatra s aviation department and later for Zlin where he designed the Zlin Z 26 trainer 2 3 The resulting design designated TOM 8 after Tomas and also known as the L 8 3 was a low winged monoplane of all metal construction b powered by a single 235 hp 175 kW Praga Doris C air cooled six cylinder horizontally opposed piston engine Student and instructor sat in tandem in an enclosed cockpit with the student in the front seat and were provided with dual controls The aircraft had a retractable tricycle landing gear 5 The first TOM 8 made its maiden flight on 23 April 1956 2 3 but development was slowed by engine problems and plans for production at the Moravan Otrokovice works where Zlin aircraft were built 6 were abandoned in 1960 2 One TOM 8 is preserved at the Kbely Aviation Museum 2 Specifications editData from Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1958 59 5 General characteristicsCrew 2 Length 9 37 m 30 ft 9 in Wingspan 10 93 m 35 ft 10 in Height 3 17 m 10 ft 5 in Wing area 17 255 m2 185 73 sq ft Aspect ratio 6 94 1 Empty weight 1 060 kg 2 337 lb Gross weight 1 380 kg 3 042 lb normal Fuel capacity 180 L 40 imp gal 48 US gal Powerplant 1 Praga Doris C air cooled six cylinder horizontally opposed piston engine 175 kW 235 hp Propellers 2 bladed metal variable pitch propeller 2 4 m 7 ft 10 in diameterPerformance Maximum speed 285 km h 177 mph 154 kn Cruise speed 240 km h 150 mph 130 kn at 1 000 m 3 280 ft Range 720 km 450 mi 390 nmi Endurance 3 hr Service ceiling 6 050 m 19 850 ft Rate of climb 5 41 m s 1 065 ft min Take off distance to 20 m 65 ft 455 m 1 493 ft 7 Landing distance from 20 m 65 ft 430 m 1 410 ft 7 Notes edit Czech Vyzkummy a Zkusebni Letecky Ustav the Czechoslovak national aeronautic research institute 1 The first prototype had a steel tube structure but it was planned for later aircraft to have a monocoque fuselage 4 References edit Gunston 2005 p 491 a b c d VZLU TOM 8 OK 08 vyr c 4 Vojensky Historiky Ustav Praha in Czech Retrieved 2 August 2020 a b c Nemecek 1956 p 656 Nemecek 1956 pp 656 657 a b Bridgman 1958 pp 133 134 Gunston 2005 p 529 a b Nemecek 1956 p 657 Bridgman Leonard 1958 Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1958 59 London Sampson Low Marston amp Company Ltd Gunston Bill 2005 World Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers 2nd ed Stroud UK Sutton Publishing ISBN 0 7509 3981 8 Nemecek Vaclav 16 October 1956 Predstavujeme vam letadlo TOM 8 Kridla vlasti in Czech Vol 1956 no 21 pp 656 657 Retrieved 2 August 2020 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title VZLU TOM 8 amp oldid 1016657375, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
