Klemm Kl 32

Kl 32
Role	Competition touring aircraft
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Klemm
Designer	Robert Lusser
First flight	1932

The Klemm Kl 32 was a touring aircraft developed in Germany in 1932 based on the Klemm Kl 31 as a competitor in the Challenge 1932 touring aircraft competition. Like its predecessor, it was a conventional, low-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed, tailskid undercarriage. The Kl 32, however, had a smaller cabin (seating three), and a fuselage built from wood rather than metal.

Eight Kl 32s were entered in the competition, seven by German teams and one by a Swiss team. These were powered by a variety of engines including the Bramo Sh 14, Argus As 8, de Havilland Gipsy, and Hirth HM 150. Notable German pilots included Robert Lusser (who designed the aircraft), Wolf Hirth, and Reinhold Poss.

Hirth won the short take-off trial in his Kl 32, and Poss tied for second place in the overall competition with his. Five of the teams flying Kl 32s finished in the top ten in the "rally over Europe" part of the competition, and five of the top ten scores overall were achieved by teams flying Kl 32s.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 pilot
• Capacity: 2 passengers
• Length: 7.20 m (23 ft 8 in)
• Wingspan: 12.00 m (39 ft 4 in)
• Height: 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
• Wing area: 17.0 m² (183 ft²)
• Empty weight: 590 kg (1,300 lb)
• Gross weight: 950 kg (2,090 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Bramo Sh 14a, 120 kW (160 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 210 km/h (130 mph)
• Range: 800 km (500 miles)
• Service ceiling: 4,800 m (15,700 ft)
• Rate of climb: 4.0 m/s (790 ft/min)

See also

• Challenge 1932, for more detailed results of the competition