Dux U-1

The Dux U‑1 was a light, single‑engine trainer developed by the Dux Factory in Moscow during the late 1920s. Conceived to replace aging World War I trainers, the aircraft made its maiden flight on 14 May 1929 and entered limited series production the following year. Built around a wooden truss fuselage with fabric covering, the high‑wing monoplane was powered by a 100 hp Shvetsov M‑11 radial engine driving a two‑bladed wooden propeller. Its layout featured dual side‑by‑side controls, fixed split‑axle landing gear with rubber shock absorbers, and a generous 8‑m wingspan that gave it a low stall speed and forgiving handling characteristics, ideal for novice pilots. Only about 120 units were built, but they served in Soviet flight schools, civil aero clubs, and even a few remote airfields until the early 1940s. The U‑1’s simple construction and reliable performance demonstrated the Dux Factory’s ability to produce indigenous aircraft without foreign licences, paving the way for later indigenous designs such as the Yak‑1 fighter. Its contribution to pilot training helped lay the foundation for the rapid expansion of Soviet air power in the pre‑World II era.

Dux Factory

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Design & Classification