Udet U 11 Kondor

The Udet U 11 Kondor, produced by Udet‑Flugzeugbau in the late 1920s, was a German two‑seat sport and training biplane that embodied the pioneering spirit of the post‑World I aviation boom. Designed by Ernst Udet, a former WWI ace turned aircraft entrepreneur, the U 11 first flew in 1925 and entered series production in 1926. Its conventional wooden frame, fabric covering and unequal‑span, single‑bay wings gave it gentle handling characteristics ideal for novice pilots. Power came from a modest 80 hp Siemens‑Halske Sh 12 radial engine, which drove a two‑bladed propeller and provided a maximum speed of roughly 150 km/h (93 mph). The open cockpit sat side‑by‑side, allowing instructor and student close communication, while a simple fixed‑gear undercarriage facilitated operations from grass fields. Although only a few dozen were built, the U 11 served as a reliable trainer for German aero clubs and helped revive civil aviation after the Treaty of Versailles restrictions. Its straightforward design influenced later German light aircraft and demonstrated that affordable, easy‑to‑fly machines could sustain a growing community of pilots in the interwar period. Today a handful of restored examples are displayed in German aviation museums, serving as reminders of the early efforts that laid the groundwork for advanced aircraft programs.

Udet-Flugzeugbau

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