The SAI KZ III Lærke ("lark") was a Danish light utility aircraft used by the Danish Air Ambulance Service and Danish Air Force.
SAI KZ III | |
---|---|
KZ III air ambulance at The Danish Collection of Vintage Aircraft | |
Role | utility aircraft |
Manufacturer | SAI |
First flight | 11 September 1944 |
Primary user | Denmark |
Produced | 1946–1951 |
Number built | 66 |
The first KIII was built during the German occupation of Denmark and first flew on 11 September 1944. With German permission it was transferred to the Redningskorpset (Rescue Service).[1][2] A second war-time example was smuggled to Sweden. The two wartime aircraft had 90 hp (67 kW) Gipsy Minor I engines.[2][3]
The KIII had a high wing braced by V-struts to the lower fuselage. Its fuselage had a steel tube structure and, like the rest of the aircraft, had fabric covering. Its two front seats shared dual controls. Slotted flaps and fixed, full span slots provided a gentle stall.[2]
64 were built post-war[2] with 100 hp (75 kW) Blackburn Cirrus Minor II engines.[4] Many of these went to flying clubs, mostly in Denmark but with sales to several near-by countries. A few went further, one to Singapore and another to India, where its airframe still survives.[2]
Data from Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1947.[5]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era