G-26

The G‑26, conceived and built by Russian aviation pioneer Vladislav Gribovsky in the early 1930s, was a single‑engine, low‑wing monoplane intended for sport and training purposes. Gribovsky, already known for his innovative light aircraft designs, launched the project in 1932 to provide Soviet flying clubs with an affordable, easy‑to‑handle airplane that could also serve as a platform for aerodynamic experiments. The airframe employed a wooden semi‑monocoque fuselage covered in plywood, while the wings were built around a spruce spar and fabric‑covered ribs, giving the aircraft a lightweight yet robust structure. Power came from a 100‑horsepower Shvetsov M‑11 radial engine, delivering a maximum speed of 210 km/h and a service ceiling of 4,500 meters. Notable features included its simple retractable landing gear, a cockpit with dual controls, and interchangeable wing panels that allowed quick conversion between trainer and aerobatic configurations. Although only a limited production run of fifteen units was completed before the program was halted in 1935, the G‑26 demonstrated the viability of cost‑effective wooden construction in the Soviet Union and influenced later Gribovsky models such as the G‑11 and G‑14. Its legacy endures as a testament to interwar ingenuity and the push for broader pilot training across the USSR.