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Vecihi K-VI (full name: Vecihi K-VI Training and Reconnaissance Aircraft[lower-alpha 1]) was a single-built Turkish training and reconnaissance aircraft, and the first aircraft built by the nation. Designed by aviator Vecihi Hürkuş in 1923 after a lack of planes in the Turkish Air Force during the Turkish War of Independence, the plane was completed with the help of his friends only in late 1924. Despite not receiving a flight permit due to lack of qualified personnel in the committee that was supposed to certify the plane, Hürkuş flew the K-VI for the first time in January 1925, for which he received a jail sentence. He made unsuccessful attempts to get the plane back and the Vecihi K-VI was eventually destroyed.

Vecihi K-VI
The plane in January 1925
Role	Training and reconnaissance Type of aircraft
National origin	Turkey
Designer	Vecihi Hürkuş
First flight	28 January 1925
Status	Destroyed
Number built	1

Development and production

During the 1919–1923 Turkish War of Independence, the Turkish Air Force lacked aircraft. Vecihi Hürkuş, an aviator participating in the war, wanted the country to have its own aircraft.[1] In a 1925 interview with Resimli Ay, Hürkuş said that he was hesitant about building a plane at first, but that he was convinced by his friends. He worked to make a design that was simple and had similar specifications to airplanes already in use.[2] On 14 June 1923, Hürkuş finished the technical drawings of the plane, which was to be used for training and reconnaissance purposes,[1] and showed the project to lieutenant general Muzaffer Ergüder, an inspector in the air force, three days later, on 17 June. After inspecting, Ergüder congratulated Hürkuş, and suggested that the plane should be called "Vecihi".[3] The air force set out three conditions that had to be met: the plane was easy to assemble, had a top speed of over 200 kilometres per hour (110 kn), and allowed the pilot to have a wide field of view.[1]

After the plane was approved by the air force, Hürkuş and four of his friends started to build the plane at the Halkapınar Aircraft Repair Workshop.[4] Work started on 24 June.[5] Having a limited budget, the engine of Vecihi K-VI was taken from a captured plane of the Greek Air Force.[1] For the rest of the plane, Hürkuş used wood, steel rods, and fabric sourced from Turkey. Aircraft dope was used to strengthen the fabric.[6] Hürkuş spent at least 16 hours a day on the plane, sometimes sleeping less than two hours to finish the project.[7] He was briefly sent away for a few months to study European aviation.[8] By the time he returned, the wooden frame was finished, and only had to be covered with fabric.[9] The Vecihi K-VI was constructed in a total of 14 months,[6] and was completed by late 1924.[10]

Operational history

Maiden flight

After the plane was finished, it was moved to the Seydiköy Airfield, where engine and taxiing tests took place.[6] Hürkuş asked for a flying permit, and a technical committee was formed to certify the plane. However, this committee lacked qualified personnel to fly the plane.[11] Hürkuş and his plane waited almost a month.[12] One of the members told Hürkuş that they could not give him the license, and said that he "should hop in and fly if he trusts [his] plane."[11] On 28 January 1925, Hürkuş arrived at the airfield, which was completely empty.[13] At 15:00 local time, Hürkuş took off after a short roll and made a 15-minute flight with Vecihi K-VI.[6] In the back seat, there was a sand bag of 60 kilograms (130 lb) to simulate a second pilot. This was the first flight ever to use a Turkish-built plane.[14] By the time he came back, the airfield was filled with a crowd, who were cheering for him.[15] After landing, Hürkuş was greeted by his celebrating friends.[6]

Subsequent history

Hürkuş was talking to his friends about the flight after the plane was towed to the hangar, when he was notified that he had received a short jail sentence,[lower-alpha 2] as he had neglected the orders of the inspectorship by flying without a permit.[2][16] While the decision was overturned later, he left the air force and the plane stayed unused.[14] The plane was stored out in the open where it was subject to corrosion in Izmir.[2] Hürkuş tried to get the K-VI back, but he was only "met with lingering".[17] His requests to store the plane in an indoor area were also declined.[2] The Turkish Aeronautical Association officially requested to use the plane for flights aimed to gather donations for the association, but the plane was never given to them.[14] The Vecihi K-VI was later destroyed under unknown circumstances.[18]

Specifications

Data from Yavuz 2012, p. 26.[19]

General characteristics

• Capacity: 2
• Length: 7.61 m (25 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 11.7 m (38 ft 5 in)
• Height: 3 m (9 ft 10 in)
• Wing area: 31.8 m² (342 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 830 kg (1,830 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,270 kg (2,800 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 200
• Powerplant: 1 × Benz 6-cyl. water-cooled piston engine, 150 kW (200 hp)
• Propellers: 2.85 m (9 ft 4 in) diameter

Performance

• Maximum speed: 207 km/h (129 mph, 112 kn)
• Cruise speed: 188 km/h (117 mph, 102 kn)
• Stall speed: 83 km/h (52 mph, 45 kn)

Notes

References

Citations

Bibliography

External links

• Media related to Vecihi K-VI at Wikimedia Commons

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