Argus As 292
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Argus As 292 was originally developed in 1939 as a small, remote-controlled unmanned anti-aircraft target drone. A short-range reconnaissance version was also developed. The success of the project led to the Argus Fernfeuer UAV proposal.
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[edit] Origin
Argus Motoren GmbH, Berlin-Reinickendorf; production Argus Flugmotorenwerke.
[edit] Type
Unmanned anti-aircraft target drone; short-range reconnaissance UAV.
[edit] Engine
3hp Argus; 6-7hp Argus.
[edit] Dimensions
Span 2.40m (7.87ft); length 2.30m (7.55ft).
[edit] Weights
Empty 27kg (59.54lb); 3kg (6.61lb) control system.
[edit] Performance
Maximum speed 100km/h (62mph); endurance 30min.
[edit] History
First flight June 9, 1937 (unguided); May 14, 1939 (remotely-controlled); first aerial photography October 2, 1939; service delivery 1942-43.
[edit] Development
The As 292 was designed by Dr. Ing. Fritz Gosslau at Argus Motoren GmbH. Work began on the drone in 1937 at the Argus-Flugmotorenwerke (Argus aero-engine factory) in Belin-Reinickendorf. As a target for anti-aircraft gunners, the As 292 was given the designation of Flakzielgerät 43 (Flak-Target Apparatus 43). An earlier effort in 1937 at developing an aircraft-sized target drone, the Fieseler Fi 157, ended in failure.
Apart from Argus, two other companies were involved in the production of the As 292: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug (German Reserch Institute for Gliding - DFS) supplied technical assistance with the airframe construction; C. Lorenz Company with the radio-control system. At DFS the drone was referred to as Model 12.
After successful demonstrations in late 1939, Argus received an initial production order for 100 As 292 aircraft.
During flight testing, cameras were fitted to a prototype As 292. Testing of this Aufklärungsgerät (reconnaissance device) version started in early 1939.
The airframe was of simple tubular construction; the high dihedral wings were removable for when the As 292 was being being transported.
At least one As 292 was painted in overall red with white strips.
[edit] References
- Holsken, Dieter, V-missiles of the Third Reich the V-1 and V-2 (1994), pp. 46-49, 343. Primary source for much of the information are the personal documents of Fritz Gosslau.
- Luftfahrt international, Aufklärungsgerät "Fernfeuer" Argus As 292. Luftfahrt international, 16, 1976, pp. 2511-2519.
- Späte, Wolfgang, Test Pilots (1999). Includes section entitled Large Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft (Erich Klöckner, Trial Reports from DFS where the author narrates how regular pilots were required to observe trials of drones).
