Norderstedt EF-51

Norderstedt EF-51
EF-51K-4 Svarta två as flown by Matthias Virtanen in 1955, currently preserved at the National Aviation Museum Kongsberg
Role	Fighter
National origin	Acrea
Manufacturer	Norderstedt Avia GmbH
First flight	1928
Introduction	1932
Retired	1953 (Acrea)
Status	Retired
Primary user	Royal Acrean Air Force
Produced	1930-1943

The Norderstedt EF-51 is an Acrean Great War-era piston fighter aircraft. Produced in very high volume throughout the 1930s, the EF-51 was one of the most advanced aviation designs in use when it first appeared in 1932. The EF-51 was highly regarded by its pilots for its high-speed performance and armament, being one of the fastest piston-engine fighters of its time with an excellent climb rate and centerline nose-mounted cannons. The fighter excelled primarily at mid to high altitudes, where it had equal or superior maneuverability to most other contemporary piston fighters. Later EF-51G and EF-51K series aircraft were equipped with maneuvering slats which improved the aircraft's maneuverability at mid to low altitude. The EF-51, alongside the EF-59, formed the backbone of the RAAF's fighter fleet for over a decade, eventually being supplemented and replaced by newer jet fighters such as the EF-62.

Specifications (EF-51K-4)

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 8.95 m (29 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 9.925 m (32 ft 7 in)
• Height: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
• Wing Area: 16.05 sq m (172.8 sq ft)
• Empty Weight: 2,247 kg (4,954 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 x Mattson-Dyrssen MD605KA-1 inverted V12 piston engine (2052 hp)

Performance

• Maximum Speed: 730 km/h (454 mph) at 6000 m
• Service Ceiling: 12,800 m

Armament

• Guns: 1 x 20mm revolver cannon or 1 x 30mm revolver cannon, 2 x 13.2mm machine guns

See Also

Aircraft of Comparable Role, Configuration, and Era