KOROLYEV

Sergei Pavlovich Korolyev is revered as General Designer of GDL-OKB, creator of Soviet Union's powerful rocket engines and master architect of vast ICBM and space programmes. But in 1930 he was famed glider pilot, and in same year flew light aircraft he designed himself at Moscow School of Aviation, called SK-4, long-range ultralight. SK-7 was 1937 100-hp motor-glider with 5 passenger seats. RP-318 of 1940 was derived from SK-9 glider but with RDA-1 rocket engine. Korolyev’s 1940 design for high-altitude pressurized rocket aircraft was halted by German invasion.

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