The PZL M-25 Dromader Mikro (Dromader is Polish for "Dromedary") is an unbuilt project for a single engine agricultural aircraft, developed in the 1980s by the WSK-Mielec (later PZL-Mielec) from the PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader.[1] It did not progress beyond the design stage.[1]
Development
During the 1980s, PZL developed a range of agricultural aircraft optimised for larger and smaller areas of land than their successful M-18 Dromader.[2][3] These included the downsized M-21 Dromader Mini and the enlarged M-24 Dromader Super, both of which flew in prototype form.[2][3] The M-25 Dromader Mikro would have been the smallest of the family.[2][3]
It was intended not only for aerial spraying, but to direct aerial spraying operations.[4] PZL hoped it might replace other small agricultural aircraft in widespread use in Comecon countries, such as the PZL-101 Gawron and Zlin Z 37.[4] However, by 1988, the project was abandoned along with the M-21 and M-24 as the company did not have sufficient capacity to manufacture additional designs.[4]
Design
The M-25 was designed as a conventional, low-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed, tailwheel undercarriage.[2] Construction was to be metal throughout. It would have been equipped with a single seat in an enclosed cabin.[2] Power would be supplied by a single PZL AI-14 radial engine mounted tractor-fashion in the nose.[2]
Specifications (as designed)
Data from Glass 1983, p.6; performance calculations from PZL M25 Dromader Mikro, p.34
Glass, Andrzej (May 1983). "Airplanes manufactured at PZL-Mielec". Technika lotnicze i astronautyczna. Vol. 38, no. 5. Warsaw: Stowarzyszenie Inżynierów i Techników Mechaników Polskich. pp. 6–7.
Glass, Andrzej (2009). "Samoloty rolnicze" [Agricultural aircraft]. Polska Technika Lotnicza: Materiały historyczne. No. 1. Warsaw: Klub Miłośników Historii Polskiej Techniki Lotniczej.
