Grigorovich E-2

Inspired by the de Havilland DH.88 Comet racer which had won the MacRobertson Air Race in 1934, the Grigorovich OKB began work on a similar aircraft. Like the DH.88, the Russian "Kometa" was a highly streamlined conventional low-wing monoplane with twin engines forward of retractable main undercarriage in nacelles under each wing. Built of wood, it also featured an enclosed cockpit and landing flaps.

Intended to be a lightweight, high-speed sport aircraft the DG-55, later designated the E-2, was slightly smaller than the DH.88 and with less powerful engines, using the 120 hp (89 kW) Cirrus Hermes.

Only one prototype was constructed, flying in 1935.

Following completion of its flight tests, the E-2 Kometa was handed over to the OSOAVIAKhIM paramilitary sports organisation, who used it for light liaison duties.

Data from EcuRed[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 7.9 m (25 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
• Wing area: 13.8 m² (149 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,051 kg (2,317 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,546 kg (3,408 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Cirrus Hermes 4-cyl air-cooled inline piston engine, 89 kW (120 hp) each
• Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch propellers

Performance

• Maximum speed: 296 km/h (184 mph, 160 kn)
• Cruise speed: 265 km/h (165 mph, 143 kn)
• Range: 2,200 km (1,400 mi, 1,200 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,000 ft)

Flugzeugtypen der Welt : Modelle, Technik, Daten (in German) (Genehmigte Lizenzausg. ed.). Augsburg: Bechtermünz Vlg. 1999. ISBN 978-3860475935.

• "ДГ-55 (Э-2) (DG-55 (E-2))". Уголок неба (in Russian). Retrieved 2 February 2016.
• Grigorovich DG-55 / E-2 Kometa, Airwar 1946.