Nikitin NV-1

The Nikitin NV‑1 was a lightweight, low‑wing monoplane designed and built in the Soviet Union during the early 1930s by the aeronautical engineer Vasily Nikitin. Conceived as a single‑seat sport and training aircraft, the NV‑1 first flew in 1933 from the Kharkov aviation plant. Its construction combined a wooden frame with fabric covering, a typical practice for the era that kept weight low and allowed rapid production with limited industrial resources. Powered by a 100 hp Shvetsov M‑11 radial engine, the aircraft achieved a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph) and a service ceiling of 4 500 m, offering respectable performance for a novice pilot. The NV‑1 featured a fixed, split‑axle undercarriage, simple rectangular controls, and a modest fuel capacity that granted a range of roughly 600 km, making it suitable for short‑range aerobatic displays and pilot‑type training. Though only a handful were built, the aircraft demonstrated the practicality of small, locally manufactured trainers and contributed to the Soviet Union’s effort to expand its civil aviation base. Its design principles influenced later Nikitin projects, highlighting Vasily Nikitin’s role in shaping early Soviet sport aviation.

Vasily Nikitin

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Design & Classification