Paul Klages
A 33 Sperber
The A‑33 Sperber, designed and built by Austrian engineer Paul Klages in the early 1930s, represents a notable step in the development of light sport aircraft in Central Europe. Klages, originally a carpenter turned aeronautical innovator, began work on the Sperber in 1932, inspired by the emerging trend of low‑cost leisure flying. The prototype first flew on 14 May 1934 from the Wiener Neustadt airfield, where it quickly attracted attention for its graceful handling and modest construction costs.
Key features of the A‑33 include a wooden semi‑monocoque fuselage, a braced high‑wing configuration, and a 65 hp Siemens‑Halske Sh 14 radial engine. The aircraft’s wings were covered with doped fabric, providing a lightweight yet robust structure, while the fixed tail‑wheel undercarriage contributed to ease of maintenance. Its cockpit accommodated two seats in tandem, giving pilots a clear forward view and allowing a passenger or instructor to ride along.
Although only a small series of twelve Sperbers were produced before World War II halted civilian aviation, the design demonstrated Klages’s skill in marrying simplicity with performance. The A‑33 Sperber remains a celebrated example of interwar European aeronautical ingenuity and laid groundwork for post‑war light aircraft development.
Key features of the A‑33 include a wooden semi‑monocoque fuselage, a braced high‑wing configuration, and a 65 hp Siemens‑Halske Sh 14 radial engine. The aircraft’s wings were covered with doped fabric, providing a lightweight yet robust structure, while the fixed tail‑wheel undercarriage contributed to ease of maintenance. Its cockpit accommodated two seats in tandem, giving pilots a clear forward view and allowing a passenger or instructor to ride along.
Although only a small series of twelve Sperbers were produced before World War II halted civilian aviation, the design demonstrated Klages’s skill in marrying simplicity with performance. The A‑33 Sperber remains a celebrated example of interwar European aeronautical ingenuity and laid groundwork for post‑war light aircraft development.
