Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka

The Vision of Stanko Bloudek

The Yugoslavian engineer Stanko Bloudek, a Slovene, gained extensive experience in aircraft design, participating in the creation of fighters at design bureaus in Vienna, Leipzig, Prague, and Budapest. After the war, Bloudek returned to Ljubljana and began developing a light sports aircraft, named Bloudek XI, for the local aeroclub.

Initial Design and Flight Challenges

The aircraft’s maiden flight took place on November 3, 1925. The Bloudek XI was a single-seater, wooden, cantilever high-wing monoplane, powered by a British 18 hp (13.3 kW) two-cylinder Blackburn Tomtit piston engine. Due to engine problems, the first flight was very short, and the second was not much longer as the engine failed to develop its declared power. Because of these troubled flights, the aircraft earned the nickname “Sraka” (Magpie).

The Sraka’s Transformation and Final Flights

In 1926, the “Sraka” sustained damage during landing. It wasn’t until two years later that the aircraft was sold for a small sum to an aeroclub in Ljubljana. Club specialists repaired the aircraft and overhauled the engine. The modified aircraft, redesignated as Bloudek XIV Sraka, took to the air again on September 18, 1932. However, engine problems could not be fully resolved, and on September 22, the “Sraka” made its last flight.

Despite the Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka never receiving official registration, it became the first civil aircraft built in Yugoslavia, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s aviation history.

Technical Specifications

Modification	Bloudek XIV
Wingspan, m	10.50
Length, m	5.50
Height, m	1.50
Wing area, m2	12.80
Empty weight	120
Engine type	1 Piston engine Blackburn Tomtit
Power, hp	1 x 18
Maximum speed, km/h	120
Cruising speed, km/h	80
Practical range, km	400
Crew	1 crew member

Image and diagram gallery of the Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka

Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka	Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka
Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka	Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka
Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka	Bloudek XI/XIV Sraka