Rubik R-23 Gébics
Alagi Központi Kisérleti Üzem (AKKÜ) · Hungary · first flew 1957 · glider
The Rubik R-23 Gébics (Shrike) was a Hungarian advanced training glider, the first of a series of metal-framed gliders designed by Ernő Rubik. Only one was built.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Fan-like airbrakes pivoted in a vertical frame, opening from fuselage to wing underside |
| T — Tail | V-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- V-tail on a tapering circular-section boom
- Rectangular two-part wing with quadrantal tips and 3 degrees of dihedral
- Fan-like airbrakes pivoted in a vertical frame, opening from fuselage to wing underside
It is an all-metal glider with a pod-and-boom fuselage and a one-piece side-opening canopy. The V-tail was changed after development flights to be longer, with its forward sweep removed.
Specifications
- The Rubik R-23 Gébics has a length of 7.5 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13 m (43 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
In 1954 the Central Workshop of the Hungarian Aeronautical Association was required to design a single-seat training glider that could take a novice pilot to the C-certificate. The design team was headed by Ernő Rubik, and the R-23 first flew on 13 June 1957.
Variants
The R-24 Bibic (Lapwing) was identical apart from its wing, which had a 15 m span so it could compete in the Standard Class.
Where you'll see it
Only one Gébics was built, and the type was intended as an advanced trainer.
Related aircraft
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