Aestrup EF-59

Aestrup EF-59
EF-59A-12 Røda ett as flown by Erika Liljeström in 1962, currently preserved at the National Aviation Museum Kongsberg
Role	Fighter
National origin	Acrea
Manufacturer	Aestrup Luftfahrtsselskab AB
First flight	1933
Introduction	1936
Retired	1955
Status	Retired
Primary user	Royal Acrean Air Force
Produced	1933-1945

The Aestrup EF-59 is an Acrean Great War-era piston fighter aircraft. Designed around a radial piston engine uncommon for land-based fighters in Eracura at the time, the EF-59 was intended as a complement to the EF-51 introduced several years earlier. It introduced several advancements in fighter aviation design, incorporating one of the first blown plexiglass canopies with minimal framing for improved visibility, and electrically driven systems instead of hydraulics.

Acrean pilots viewed the EF-59 favourably compared to the EF-51. Possessing superior maneuverability at low to medium altitudes over non-slat equipped EF-51s, the EF-59's radial engine also possessed higher displacement over the EF-51 and was able to generate greater power. The MD801 engine fitted to later 59A-series and 59D-series aircraft could produce peak power in excess of 2000 hp. The engines on early aircraft performed poorly at high-altitude, though this was rectified by the addition of a two-stage high-altitude supercharger on EF-59A-8 and later aircraft. Despite the greater power, the EF-59 was generally slower than the EF-51 at medium to high altitudes.

The EF-59 was also prized for its durability and armament over the EF-51. The larger radial engine provided some protection from frontal fire, and the aircraft was also fitted with rear armour to protect the pilot. It could also be fitted with up to five cannons in comparison to the EF-51's single cannon; most aircraft flew with three cannons and two machine guns. Fighter ace Eirik Mayskär, one of the most successful EF-59 pilots, referred to the difference between the EF-51 and EF-59 as being that of "the difference between a racehorse and a cavalry horse". Due to its appearance and arguably excessive armament, the EF-59 was nicknamed the "butcher" or "butcher bird" by Aethurian and Svinian pilots.

Specifications (EF-59A-12)

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 8.95 m (29 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 10.506 m (34 ft 6 in)
• Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
• Wing Area: 18.3 sq m(197 sq ft)
• Empty Weight: 3,200 kg (7,055 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 x Mattson-Dyrssen MD801I-9 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine

Performance

• Maximum Speed: 705 km/h (454 mph) at 6000 m
• Service Ceiling: 12,000 m

Armament

• Guns: 3 x 20mm revolver cannons, 2 x 13.2mm machine guns or 2 x 30mm revolver cannons, 2 x 13.2mm machine guns

See Also

Aircraft of Comparable Role, Configuration, and Era