Artur Anatra
Anatra DS
The Anatra DS is a single‑engine, low‑wing monoplane designed and built in the early 1930s by Romanian engineer Artur Anatra. After completing his studies in aeronautical engineering in France, Anatra returned to Romania with a vision of creating an affordable, high‑performance sport aircraft that could also serve as a trainer for the nascent Romanian air clubs. The prototype flew for the first time on 12 May 1932 at Bucharest’s Cotroceni airfield and demonstrated remarkable handling characteristics, earning a place in the 1933 International Light Aircraft Contest where it placed third overall.
Key features of the DS include a streamlined wooden fuselage covered with doped fabric, a 120‑horsepower de Havilland Gipsy Major engine driving a two‑blade fixed‑pitch propeller, and a retractable under‑carriage – a rare innovation for light aircraft of its era. Its wing incorporates an integrated flaperon system that provides both lift augmentation and roll control, improving short‑field performance.
Although only twenty units were produced before the outbreak of World II halted production, the Anatra DS influenced subsequent Romanian designs by demonstrating that advanced aerodynamics and mechanical simplicity could coexist. It remains a symbol of interwar ingenuity and a celebrated piece of Eastern European aviation heritage.
Key features of the DS include a streamlined wooden fuselage covered with doped fabric, a 120‑horsepower de Havilland Gipsy Major engine driving a two‑blade fixed‑pitch propeller, and a retractable under‑carriage – a rare innovation for light aircraft of its era. Its wing incorporates an integrated flaperon system that provides both lift augmentation and roll control, improving short‑field performance.
Although only twenty units were produced before the outbreak of World II halted production, the Anatra DS influenced subsequent Romanian designs by demonstrating that advanced aerodynamics and mechanical simplicity could coexist. It remains a symbol of interwar ingenuity and a celebrated piece of Eastern European aviation heritage.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1916
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Artur Anatra
- Developer
- Artur Anatra
- Engine
- Salmson water-cooled aircraft engine
- Wikidata ID
- Q3502937