FS98 Udet Flamingo U-12b 1926
-----------------------------------------------by Stephan Scholz, November 2010
Installation:
-------------
1) Unzip "Flamingo-B.zip" into a temporary file.
2) Move the folder "Flamingo-B" into the FS98 aircraft directory.
2) See sound.cfg modification instructions below.
The Udet U-12 Flamingo, built by Udet Flugzeugbau in Ramersdorf was an aerobatic sports plane and trainer aircraft developed in Germany in the mid 1920s. It was a conventional, single-bay biplane of wooden construction with the wings braced by large I-struts. The pilot and instructor or passenger sat in tandem, open cockpits. The U-12 proved extremely popular and sold well.
Ernst Udet´s personal Flamingo U-12b was an aerobatic version of the biplane with a more powerful engine, a larger tailfin and rudder, and aerodynamically improved wings. The designation was initially U-12a Spezial, powered by a 110 hp Siemens-Halske Sh11 radial engine. The designation was changed to U-12b Spezial in 1930 when a 125hp Sh14 engine was fitted. In 1933 a further engine change to a 160 hp Sh-14a was effected.
Ernst Udet´s spectacular aerobatics attracted large crowds at air shows, and one particularly acclaimed part of his act included swooping down towards the airfield and picking up a handkerchief with the tip of one wing. Several films of the time also featured his famous biplane.
There is original footage of Udet´s amazing aerobatics to be seen on U-tube, including a breath-taking video of a spectacular recovery from a stall after an engine failure at low altitude, which gives an idea how well this aircraft flew.
You can watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2CBx7x5GCI
After the production of 35 U-12 units, Udet Flugzeugbau was taken over by the state of Bavaria to form Bayrische Flugzeugwerke, and production of the U-12 continued. BFW-built 115 units, and U-12s were exported to Austria, Hungary and Latvia, and later also built under licence in these countries as well. Variants included glider towing units, fighter trainers equipped with two 8 mm Type 26/31 M Gebauer GKM machineguns, bomber trainers which carried 10 - 20 kg of bombs, and float planes. Skis could also be fitted.
A total of approximately 200 Flamingo U-12 units were built, issued with a variety of Siemens-Halske radial engine types ranging from 80 to 160 hp.
Top speeds of the Flamingo U-12, depending on the type of Siemens-Halske radial engine fitted:
Sh-5 : 7-cyl 80 hp - 72 kt
Sh-11 : 7-cyl 110 hp - 76 kt
Sh-12 : 9-cyl 115 hp - 78 kt
Sh-14 : 7-cyl 125 hp - 82 kt
Sh-14a: 7-cyl 160 hp - 86 kt
General characteristics (U 12a)
-------------------------------
Crew: two, pilot and instructor
Length: 7.47 m (24 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 9.96 m (32 ft 8 in)
Height: 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 24 m² (258 ft²)
Empty weight: 525 kg (1,157 lb)
Gross weight: 800 kg (1,764 lb)
A flying replica of this aircraft has been built according to original plans by the Oldtimer Segelflug Verein, Ottobrun, but is as yet equipped with a modern Lycoming engine.
The Udet Flamingo U-12b virtual model:
--------------------------------------
Built with Abacus Aircraft Factory 99 and animated with Abacus Aircraft Animator.
Note: The lights ("l") key will toggle the pilot figure.
Flight Dynamics:
----------------
Christoph Ruhtenberg has provided some very good FD for early aerobatic and fighter biplanes which I have adapted for the Flamingo U-12b, and which make it very manoueverable indeed, giving the pilot a high degree of precise control over the aircraft.
Two extra .air files are provided with this release for those interested in trying out the plane with the 110 and 125 hp Siemens-Halske Sh-11 and Sh-14 engines. Just rename the original .air file to something else and then rename the .air file you wish to try out to Flamingo-B.air accordingly.
Take off/landing : 40 kt
Cruise: 62 kt
Vmax: 86 kt (for the 160 hp Sh-14a engine)
Panel:
------
Default Sopwith Camel panel.
Sound:
------
A special sound.cfg file is provided with this release, contained in the "Substitute Sound Config" directory. It uses the default Sopwith Camel sounds, but gives the aircraft a throatier, more fitting sound. Rename the existing sound.cfg in the SopCamel\sound directory to something else, and move the new sound.cfg into its place.
Legal stuff:
============
This aircraft and its source files are freeware, and cannot be sold. No responsibility is taken for any loss or damage incurred directly or indirectly from its use. The original unaltered aircraft files may be freely distributed, uploaded, downloaded and shared. Please maintain proper credit, of course, and make no financial gain whatsoever.
