Pander S-4 Postjager

The Pander S-4 Postjager was a 1930s Dutch three-engined mailplane designed and built by Pander & Son. Only one was built which was destroyed during the MacRobertson Air Race.[1]

Pander S-4 Postjager
Postjager at Allahabad
Role Mailplane
National origin Netherlands
Manufacturer Pander & Son
Designer Theo Slot
First flight 6 October 1933
Status Destroyed
Number built 1

Design and development

The S-4 was designed as a fast mailplane for the service between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies. It was a three-seat low-wing monoplane powered by three 420 hp (313 kW) Wright Whirlwind radial engines. It had a conventional retractable landing gear with a tailwheel.[1] The S-4, registered PH-OST, first flew on 6 October 1933.[1]

Operational history

In December 1933 it flew a mail flight to Batavia. In 1934 the S-4 was entered into the MacRobertson Air Race between London and Melbourne. It left Mildenhall in England on 20 October 1934 and after 36 hours arrived at Allahabad, India. The aircraft was delayed when the landing gear was badly damaged on arrival at Allahabad.[2][3] It was ready to leave on 26 October but while taxiing for departure it hit a motor car and burst into flames and was destroyed; the crew jumped out and escaped injury.[1][2][3]

Specifications

Data from Flight 5 October 1933, The "Aerial Phost",[4] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1934,[5] Pander S.4 Postjager Trimotor Mailplane[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Capacity: 500 kg
  • Length: 12.5 m (41 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 16.6 m (54 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 44.98 m2 (484.2 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 3,025 kg (6,669 lb)
  • Gross weight: 5,500 kg (12,125 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: Fuel:2,100 l (550 US gal; 460 imp gal); Oil:130 l (34 US gal; 29 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 3 × Wright Whirlwind 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, 310 kW (420 hp) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 370 km/h (230 mph, 200 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 300 km/h (190 mph, 160 kn)
  • Landing speed: 95–100 km/h (59–62 mph; 51–54 kn) Flaps down
  • Range: 2,430 km (1,510 mi, 1,310 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 5,400 m (17,700 ft)

References
  1. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
  2. "Pander machine destroyed". News. The Times (46896). London. 27 October 1934. col A, p. 11.
  3. "Pander S.4 Postjager Trimotor Mailplane". Old Machine Press. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  4. "The "Aerial Phost"". Flight. XXCV no.40 (1293): 992. 5 October 1933. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  5. Grey, C.G., ed. (1934). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1934. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. pp. 178c–179c.

Further reading
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