G-28

The G‑28, created in the early 1930s by Russian designer Vladislav Gribovsky, was a pioneering single‑engine trainer and sport aircraft that helped bridge the gap between experimental biplanes and modern monoplanes in the Soviet Union. Gribovsky, already known for his lightweight wooden constructions, introduced the G‑28 in 1932 as a low‑wing cantilever monoplane with a 120‑horsepower Shvetsov M‑11 radial engine. Its wooden semi‑monocoque fuselage and fabric‑covered wings gave the aircraft an excellent strength‑to‑weight ratio, allowing a top speed of 210 km/h and a service ceiling of 5,500 meters. The cockpit was enclosed and equipped with dual controls, making it ideal for primary flight instruction as well as recreational soaring.

Only a limited series of twenty‑four units were built before production shifted to more powerful designs, but the G‑28’s handling qualities earned it praise from pilots and flight schools alike. Its innovative airframe demonstrated that wooden construction could achieve performance comparable to contemporary metal aircraft, influencing later Soviet trainers such as the Yak‑12. Today the G‑28 is remembered as a modest yet significant step in the evolution of Soviet civil aviation. Its heritage worldwide.