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The Weirdest Jet

18.6k F104Deathtrap  3.6 years ago

The world's slowest jet plane is also the only jet powered biplane


Introducing the "Belphegor" Isn't she cute?

When someone tells you to do something stupid, the answer is usually "No." Unfortunately, when that someone is the USSR the answer had better be "Da!" That was the situation at State Aircraft Factory No. 1 (Panstwowe Zaklady Lotnicze or P Z L) in the early 1970's. You see, the Soviet Union had an image problem. Despite its vast farmlands, they had to import enormous amounts of food from the West in order to keep their people fed. Worse yet, their agricultural systems were seen as old fashioned, un-scientific and not very efficient. This needed to change.

While efforts were underway to modernize Soviet agriculture, somebody in the Politburo became aware that farmers were still using an old-fashioned bi-plane to spray their crops. This biplane:

The Antonov An-2 "Colt"

Never mind that the An-2 was perfectly suited to the job of crop-dusting. Never mind that it was one of the most versatile, effective and just plain beloved aircraft ever designed. It looked old. It had to go.

So back to the PZL factory in Poland. Until recently they had been happily building a licensed version of the An-2, but not anymore. Moscow wanted a futuristic plane to spray their crops. They wanted a jet. The fact that jets are very fast and crop dusters need to fly very slow did not seem to be a consideration for Soviet leaders so, like loyal comrades, the design team at PZL set to work.

The result was the most advanced agricultural aircraft the world has ever seen. Powered by a turbofan pushing over 3,000 pounds of thrust and equipped with the most sophisticated chemical spraying technology, the new plane was a scientific marvel of engineering. She was also loud, fuel hungry, maintenance heavy, and quite possibly the ugliest airplane ever built.

After several years of faithful service and international ridicule, the PZL M15 (nicknamed "Belphegor" for her awkward appearance and noisy demeanor) was retired from service in favor of the Antonov An-2 Colt, the very same plane she was designed to replace.

I love the Belphegor. Despite her shortcomings, she performed remarkably well when she had adequate support. While I am the first to admit her ugliness, there is a strange insectoid grace to the shape of her wings and tail. When players lazily make posts asking "wHaT sHOuLd I mAKe nExT" my answer is always:

PZL M15 "BELPHEGOR"

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    @Hihihihihihhgh No, I don't know. People have been referring to ships and planes as "she" since time immemorial. Get over it.

    1.9 years ago
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    @Hihihihihihhgh What a ridiculous thing to say, lol

    1.9 years ago
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    Let's get to work lol

    +1 3.4 years ago
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    41.8k Ren

    Link to one on ebay?

    3.5 years ago
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    35.2k V

    I want one

    +1 3.6 years ago
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    @BoganBoganTheWoman Yes! I remember that. A very nice build.

    3.6 years ago
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    104k Dllama4
    +1 3.6 years ago
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    4,165 chemmey

    @F104Deathtrap I've seen an animation using this plane. Spraying clouds

    3.6 years ago
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    @CharlesDeGaulle @PoyuToyu Correct. This was a highly specialized aircraft designed for one job: spray liquid chemicals onto fields.

    3.6 years ago
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    4,165 chemmey

    @CharlesDeGaulle indeed it's a farm plane. This is cropdusters on the another level. Ngl they look pretty cute rather than ugly.

    SkinnyPwaneGoesUwU

    +1 3.6 years ago
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    @F104Deathtrap maybe, but I'd rather fill this thing with insecticide, it looks like a farm plane, rustic, strange, but with a jet engine !


    I imagine the good peasant boasting of having a jet plane ...

    +2 3.6 years ago
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    @CharlesDeGaulle Oh come on, just fill the sprayer tanks with glitter and everyone will love you! It's ironic that you reacted this way because it was at the Paris Air Show that she earned the name Belphegor.

    3.6 years ago
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    @RamboJutter I do not know. This seems like something he'd do.

    3.6 years ago
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    didnt Bogdan make one of these?

    +3 3.6 years ago
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    I would NEVER go to this "Belphégor", the name does not inspire confidence, but you can faint at the sight of the plane, this thing is almost criminal! put this in a flying club, and the members will complain for trauma !!

    +2 3.6 years ago