Cukurs C-6 Trīs Zvaigznes
Herberts Cukurs (private) · Latvia · first flew 1935 · light aircraft
The Cukurs C-6 Trīs Zvaigznes ('Three Stars') was a handbuilt Latvian touring monoplane created by the pioneer aviator Herberts Cukurs for a series of long-distance record flights.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Clean low-wing monoplane with enclosed cabin and smooth cowling
- Fixed spatted undercarriage
- Latvian national markings — three stars motif gives the aircraft its name
A clean, low-wing enclosed cabin monoplane of 1930s European touring style. Distinguishable from contemporaries mainly by its Latvian provenance; the smooth cowling and spatted undercarriage are period-typical. The 'Three Stars' of the Latvian coat of arms were sometimes painted on the fuselage.
Specifications
- The Cukurs C-6 Trīs Zvaigznes has a length of 7.8 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.6 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 230 km/h (143 mph).
- Typical crew: 1–2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Herberts Cukurs was Latvia's most celebrated aviator, famous for designing and building his own aircraft in workshops in Riga. The C-6, completed in 1935, was conceived for an ambitious flight from Riga to Gambia and back. Cukurs made long-distance flights to Tobruk and West Africa in the aircraft, demonstrating exceptional airmanship and the quality of his self-designed machines.
Variants
The C-6 was a unique handbuilt aircraft; no series production was undertaken. Earlier Cukurs designs included the C-1 through C-5, each progressively refined.
Where you'll see it
The C-6 served as Cukurs's personal record-breaking mount in the mid-1930s. The aircraft did not survive the Soviet and German occupations of Latvia; Cukurs himself fled to Brazil in 1944.
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