PTO-4

The PTO-4 was an Estonian-designed military training aircraft of World War II.

PTO-4
РТО-4А
Role Trainer
Manufacturer Aviotöökoda, Tallinn
Designer Voldemar Post, Richard Tooma and Otto Org
Introduction 1938
Retired 1944
Primary user Estonian Air Force
Luftwaffe
Produced 1938
Number built 8

In 1938, the Estonian aviation engineers Voldemar Post, Rein Tooma and Otto Org, previously responsible for the PON-1 trainer, designed and built the PTO-4 training aircraft.[1] It was a two-seat low-winged monoplane powered by a De Havilland Gypsy of 120 hp, with a fixed undercarriage that could be fitted with wheels or skis. The aircraft could fly at a maximum speed of 245 km per hour and had a ceiling of 5,000 meters. On 12 October 1938, the PTO-4 was taken into service of the Air Force.

The Estonian Air Force received two PTO-4s (serial numbers 161 and 162), one with an open cockpit and the other an enclosed cockpit.[1] Six examples were in civil use, of which five were used by the Eesti Aeroklubi (EAK), a flying club controlled by the Estonian Military.[1]

Four examples surviving from the Soviet occupation of Estonia (1940–41) were operated by the German Luftwaffe, being operated by a unit manned by Estonian volunteers (initially called Sonderstaffel Buschmann and later 1./SAGr.127) based at Reval-Ülemiste airfield. They were operated as training and liaison aircraft as well for coastal patrol over the shores of the Baltic.[2]

Operators
 Estonia
 Germany

See also

Related development

Related lists

References
  1. Gerdessen 1982, p.71.
  2. Gerdessen 1982, pp.74–75.
  • Gerdessen, F. "Estonian Air Power 1918–1945". Air Enthusiast, Eighteen, April – July 1982. Bromley, UK:Pilot Press. pp. 61–76.
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