Vasily Nikitin
NV-6
The NV‑6, conceived and built in the early 1930s by Russian aeronautical pioneer Vasily Nikitin, represents a pivotal step in the evolution of Soviet light transport aviation. Born from Nikitin’s ambition to create a versatile, low‑cost aircraft capable of serving remote regions of the USSR, the NV‑6 first flew on 12 May 1934 from a modest field near Moscow. Its single‑engine, high‑wing configuration combined a robust wooden frame with a fabric‑covered skin, while the neatly faired 250 hp Shvetsov M‑11 radial engine delivered reliable performance at modest altitudes.
Key features include a spacious cabin that accommodated up to four passengers or a comparable cargo load, a fixed tailwheel undercarriage designed for unprepared airstrips, and interchangeable wing panels that facilitated quick repairs in the field. The aircraft’s gentle stall characteristics and low stall speed made it especially suitable for pilot training and medical evacuation missions in harsh Arctic conditions.
Although only 38 units were produced before the factory shifted to larger military contracts, the NV‑6’s emphasis on simplicity, durability, and multi‑role capability influenced subsequent Soviet designs such as the Polikarpov Po‑2 and the Yakovlev UT‑2. Its legacy endures as a testament to Nikitin’s innovative spirit and the formative era of civil aviation in the Soviet Union.
Key features include a spacious cabin that accommodated up to four passengers or a comparable cargo load, a fixed tailwheel undercarriage designed for unprepared airstrips, and interchangeable wing panels that facilitated quick repairs in the field. The aircraft’s gentle stall characteristics and low stall speed made it especially suitable for pilot training and medical evacuation missions in harsh Arctic conditions.
Although only 38 units were produced before the factory shifted to larger military contracts, the NV‑6’s emphasis on simplicity, durability, and multi‑role capability influenced subsequent Soviet designs such as the Polikarpov Po‑2 and the Yakovlev UT‑2. Its legacy endures as a testament to Nikitin’s innovative spirit and the formative era of civil aviation in the Soviet Union.
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Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1940
Design & Classification
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Vasily Nikitin
- Wikidata ID
- Q1535518