Grigorovich E-2

The Grigorovich E-2, or DG-55 (Russian Григорович Э-2, ДГ-55), was a two-seat, twin-engined, low-wing, prototype sport aircraft of Soviet origin.

Design and construction[]

Inspired by the de Havilland DH.88 Comet racer which had won the MacRobertson Air Race in 1934, the Grigorovich OKB began work on a similar aircraft. Like the DH.88, the Russian "Kometa" was a highly streamlined conventional low-wing monoplane with twin engines forward of retractable main undercarriage in nacelles under each wing. Built of wood, it also featured an enclosed cockpit and landing flaps.

Intended to be a lightweight, high-speed sport aircraft the DG-55, later designated the E-2, was slightly smaller than the DH.88 and with less powerful engines, using the 120 hp (89 kW) Cirrus Hermes.

Only one prototype was constructed, flying in 1935.

Operational history[]

Following completion of its flight tests, the E-2 Kometa was handed over to the OSOAVIAKhIM paramilitary sports organisation, who used it for light liaison duties.

Specifications[]

Data from EcuRed^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 7.9 m (25 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
• Wing area: 13.8 m² (149 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,051 kg (2,317 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,546 kg (3,408 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Cirrus Hermes 4-cyl air-cooled inline piston engine, 89 kW (120 hp) each
• Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch propellers

Performance

• Maximum speed: 296 km/h (184 mph, 160 kn)
• Cruise speed: 265 km/h (165 mph, 143 kn)
• Range: 2,200 km (1,400 mi, 1,200 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,000 ft)

References[]

Further reading[]

Flugzeugtypen der Welt : Modelle, Technik, Daten (in German) (Genehmigte Lizenzausg. ed.). Augsburg: Bechtermünz Vlg. 1999. ISBN 978-3860475935.

External links[]

• "ДГ-55 (Э-2) (DG-55 (E-2))". Уголок неба (in Russian). Retrieved 2 February 2016.
• Grigorovich DG-55 / E-2 Kometa, Airwar 1946.