Designed by Pauls Reinhards, it was a project utlilizing one of two large Maybach engines, abandoned by the
Germans, intended for use on their airships.
The aircraft was built in the workshops of the Aviation Division (its name is derived from
the first two letters of Aviacijas and divizions.
The initial test flights were flown by Viktors Eglitis and Reinhard himself. Capt.V.Rinkis joined
them soon afterwards.
The aircraft was flown for a few weeks, but the engine was found to be totally unreliable. Finally,
fearing that someone would be killed flying this machine, Capt. V.Rinkis intentionally crashed it. The
parts were subsequently burned on a bonfire, and no further development of this design was contemplated.
The aircraft was never popular with the pilots, and its unusual shape earned it the
nickname "cigar", but the unreliable engine was the main reason for its unpopularity.
Sources
- Bruvelis, Edvins Latvijas Aviacijas Vesture
- Irbitis, Karlis Of Struggle and Flight
