Klemm Kl 26

Klemm Flugzeugbau · Germany · first flew 1928 · light aircraft

The Klemm Kl 26 is a German two-seat light touring monoplane of the late 1920s, a scaled-up development of the successful Kl 25. It was produced in Germany and licence-built in the United States as the Aeromarine-Klemm AKL-26.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	Closely resembles the smaller Kl 25 — larger chord and longer fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Slender low-wing monoplane with tandem open cockpits
Fixed undercarriage with no wheel fairings
Closely resembles the smaller Kl 25 — larger chord and longer fuselage

Long-span, straight low wing with modest taper; narrow inline-engined nose with a small spinner; fixed undercarriage without spats; tandem open cockpits distinguish it from contemporary cabin types.

Specifications

The Klemm Kl 26 has a length of 7.16 m (23 ft).
It has a wingspan of 12.48 m (41 ft).
Its maximum speed is 149 km/h (93 mph).
Typical crew: 1-2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Around 170 aircraft were built in Germany, with further examples assembled in the US. The Kl 26 attracted attention from prominent pilots including aerobat Ernst Udet and record-setter Elly Beinhorn. Its docile handling and economical running costs made it popular with flying clubs.

Variants

German production used the Argus As 8 or similar inline engines; US-built examples typically used the LeBlond or Wright-built radial engines to suit local availability.

Where you'll see it

Widely used by German civilian flying clubs in the early 1930s and adopted by several international buyers; impressed into Luftwaffe communications duties at the outbreak of war.

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