VEF I-14

The VEF I-14 was a Latvian Air Force trainer aircraft prototype, built by VEF.

I-14
General information
Type	trainer
National origin	Latvia
Manufacturer	VEF
Status	Prototype destroyed
Number built	one
History
Introduction date	1937
First flight	19 November 1937

Design and development

Kārlis Irbītis began work on the I-14 in 1936 in response to an order placed by the Latvian Air Force for a new trainer aircraft. Taking inspiration from the British Miles aircraft, the I-14 was a low-wing monoplane with fixed, conventional landing gear. The single pilot sat in an enclosed cockpit. It was powered by a 200 hp Menasco B6S Buccaneer.^[1][2]

Operational history

The I-14 made its maiden flight on 19 November 1937. On 23 April 1938, the aircraft was destroyed in a crash, its pilot, Bandenieks, was unhurt.^[1] Development of the I-14 was abandoned in favor of the more advanced VEF I-15.^[2]

Specifications (I-14)

Data from ^[1][2]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 7.3 m (23 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 8 m (26 ft 3 in)
• Height: 2 m (6 ft 7 in)
• Empty weight: 410 kg (904 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 665 kg (1,466 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Menasco B6S Buccaneer air-cooled inline engine, 150 kW (200 hp)