Merkel Mark II explained

The Merkel Mark II is an American homebuilt aerobatic biplane that was designed by Edwin Merkel and produced by the Merkel Airplane Company of Wichita, Kansas in the form of plans for amateur construction.^[1]

Designer Merkel died on 12 March 2012 and plans are no longer available.^[2]

Design and development

The Mark II features a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit with an optional bubble canopy, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. The Mark II was intended as a two-seat trainer version as a companion to a planned single-seat competition version.

The aircraft is made from welded steel tubing with the airframe covered in sheet aluminum. Its 25.51NaN1 span wings employ a NACA 23012 airfoil and each has a single torsional spar. The standard engine recommended was a 2200NaN0 Franklin Engine Company powerplant.^[3]

The aircraft has an empty weight of 1200lb and a gross weight of 1540lb, giving a useful load of 340lb. With full fuel of the payload is 232lb.

External links

• Photo of a Merkel Mark II
• Color photo of a Merkel Mark II

Notes and References

1. Plane and Pilot: 1978 Aircraft Directory, page 147. Werner & Werner Corp, Santa Monica CA, 1977.
2. Web site: Obituary For Edwin Merkel . 12 October 2013. Baker Funeral Home. March 2012.
3. Web site: The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage. 25 October 2013. Lednicer. David. 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20130806041032/http://www.ae.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/aircraft.html. 6 August 2013. dead.