PZL M-21 Dromader Mini

By the early 1980s, WSK-Mielec was aware that the economics of aerial application in agriculture varied according to the characteristics of the land being treated.^[6] One relevant factor was the size of the plot, where a larger aircraft is more cost-effective for treating a larger area of land, and a smaller aircraft more cost-effective for a smaller area.^[6] The company therefore decided to manufacture a range of agricultural aircraft of different sizes, based on the already-proven M-18 design.^[6][7] This member of the family was intended for smaller areas of land, up to about 50 hectares (120 acres).^[8]

The M-21 was designed to retain as much commonality with the M-18 as possible; ultimately around 70% was achieved.^[1][9] Common areas included the cabin, rear fuselage, empennage, outer wing panels, and mainwheels.^[1][9] The desire to maximise this commonality resulted in an overall weight greater than what would otherwise have been necessary.^[10]

Design work commenced in January 1980 and was concluded by June that year.^[1] Construction of the first prototype began in August 1981, and it first flew on 18 June 1982.^[1] Three prototypes were built: two for flight testing and one for static tests.^[1][9]

The prototypes were tested from 1982 to 1986, when the design was certified.^[8] However, PZL did not have capacity to manufacture the design alongside the company's existing programs and no further examples were built.^[8]

A turboprop version, the M-21T, powered by a Walter M601A, was designed but never constructed.^[11]

The M-21 is a conventional, low-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed, tailwheel undercarriage.^[12] Construction is of metal throughout.^[9] It is equipped with a single seat in an enclosed cabin.^[9] Power is supplied by a single PZL-3SR radial engine mounted tractor-fashion in the nose.^[12]

Data from PZL M-21 Dromader Mini, p. 17

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 pilot
• Capacity: 1,700 L (450 US gal; 370 imp gal) / 965 kg (2,127 lb) of chemicals
• Length: 9.48 m (31 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 14.51 m (47 ft 7 in)
• Height: 3.11 m (10 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 32.6 m² (351 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 2,060 kg (4,542 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 3,300 kg (7,275 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × PZL-3SR 7-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 442 kW (593 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 187 km/h (116 mph, 101 kn)
• Cruise speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn)
• Service ceiling: 2,900 m (9,500 ft)
• Rate of climb: 3.8 m/s (750 ft/min)

Related development

• PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader
• PZL-Mielec M-24 Dromader Super
• Ayres Thrush

• Glass, Andrzej (May 1983). "Airplanes manufactured at PZL-Mielec". Technika lotnicze i astronautyczna. Vol. 38, no. 5. Warsaw: Stowarzyszenie Inżynierów i Techników Mechaników Polskich. pp. 6–7.
• Glass, Andrzej (2009). "Samoloty rolnicze" [Agricultural aircraft]. Polska Technika Lotnicza: Materiały historyczne. No. 1. Warsaw: Klub Miłośników Historii Polskiej Techniki Lotniczej.
• Lambert, Mark; Munson, Kenneth; Taylor, Michael J.H., eds. (1991). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1991-92 (82nd ed.). Coulson, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group.
• Luto, Krzysztof. "PZL M21 "Dromader Mini", 1982 ("Lama")". Samoloty w Lotnictwie Polskim.
• "PZL-M21 Dromader Mini". Technika lotnicze i astronautyczna. Vol. 38, no. 5. Warsaw: Stowarzyszenie Inżynierów i Techników Mechaników Polskich. May 1983. pp. 17–18.
• PZL M21 Lama (Report). PZL Mielec. 1980.
• Simpson, R. W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing.
• Taylor, John W.R., ed. (1984). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1984-85 (75th ed.). London: Jane's Publishing Co.
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1993). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
• Witkowski, Bogusław (16 January 1983). "Rodzina Dromaderow" ["Dromader family"]. Skrzydlata Polska. No. 3 (1625). Warsaw: Wydawnictwa Komunikacji i Łączności. pp. 4–5.