Pützer Elster

The Pützer Elster was a German single-engined light aircraft, manufactured by Alfons Pützer KG (later Sportavia) in Bonn. It served with the Luftwaffe and Marineflieger and was used solely for recreational sport flying. Some continue to fly in 2020 in private ownership.

Development history

The Pützer Elster "Magpie" was developed from the Motorraab motor glider which had itself been developed from the Doppelraab glider. The Elster was the first aircraft produced in Germany after World War II in any significant numbers. The design shared the wing of the Doppelraab, braced by metal struts, but was given a new monocoque fuselage constructed of plywood with seats for two occupants arranged side by side. The tricycle landing gear unusually featured a steerable nosewheel controlled by a hand grip. Production ceased in 1967, by which time 45 examples had been built.

Variants

File:Pützer Elster B (Luftwaffe) at Pferdsfeld 1972 (1).jpg

Elster B of Luftwaffe, Pferdsfeld air base 1972

Elster

Prototype aircraft fitted with a 52 hp Porsche 678/3 engine, first flight 10 January 1959.

Elster B

File:Pützer Elster B (Luftwaffe) at Pferdsfeld 1972 (3).jpg

Elster of Luftwaffe used as glider tug, Pferdsfeld air base 1972

Main production version fitted with a 95 hp Continental C-90 engine. 25 aircraft were operated by the Luftwaffe and Marineflieger sport flying groups. These aircraft were initially operated with civilian registrations but were allocated military serials in 1971. In 1978 the maintenance contract with Pützer expired and the aircraft were placed on the civil market.

Elster C

The Elster C was fitted with the more powerful 150 hp Lycoming O-320 engine and other modifications for use as a glider tug.

Operators

Military operators

• Luftwaffe
• Marineflieger

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Piper PA-22 Tripacer

External links

• Photo of Elster B in Luftwaffe markings