DAR 10 | |
---|---|
Role | Light bomber and reconnaissance |
Manufacturer | Darzhavna Aeroplanna Rabotilnica |
First flight | July 1941 |
Status | Prototype |
Primary user | Bulgarian Air Force |
Number built | 2 |
The DAR 10 (ДАР 10) was a Bulgarian light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft.
The DAR 10 was designed by Zvetan Lazarov in 1938 in the DAR (Darzhavna Aeroplanna Rabotilnica, meaning literally 'State Airplane Workshop') factory in Bozhurishte, near the capital Sofia.
The DAR 10 was a single-engine two-seat (pilot and gunner) low-wing cantilever monoplane aircraft of conventional layout. Its two seats were in tandem under enclosed glazing. Its tailwheel undercarriage was fixed, and the mainwheels were spatted. The wings had a wooden structure, covered with plywood. Flaps were not used.
The fuselage was comparatively wide and deep, to accommodate the nose-mounted radial engine. It was constructed of steel-tube framework and wood formers, covered with fabric.
Three-bladed steel propellers were used.
Two prototypes were built, powered by different engines:
This aircraft crashed in October 1942. In spite of good flight reviews, the type was not chosen for production. The high-wing KB-11 Fazan was selected for production instead.
The DAR-10 was not selected for production. Some sources suggest that it was passed over in favor of the German Junkers Ju-87 Stuka dive bomber, while the improved DAR-10F was not selected as World War II had ended and Bulgaria had access to ample supplies of modern Soviet aircraft such as the Ilyushin Il-2 and Il-10.
Data from Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide
General characteristics
Performance
Armament