Lisunov Li-2

LISUNOV LI-2

Amazing transport aircraft Lisunov LI-2, HA-LIX, the only flying piece in the world!

The Lisunov Li-2 was created because of the great popularity of the American DC-2 aircraft among the Soviet air garrison, so they decided to buy the license from the Americans to produce this aircraft for the Soviet Union. Eventually, however, they purchased the license for the more modern DC-3, and the Soviet engineers V. M. Myasishchev and B. P. Lisunov headed to the US to learn about production and technical documentation. The first aircraft, under the earlier designation PS-84, was produced in 1938, and was slightly different from the original DC-3 and had different flight characteristics. The engines were less powerful and the equipment was simpler, although overall the aircraft was heavier. Nevertheless, mass production began in 1940, and by the time of the German invasion in 1941, 71 were produced. As a result of the German advance, production was moved to Tashkent and military variants were produced there under the designation Lisunov Li-2, managing to produce 2,100 of them by 1945. Production continued after 1945, but in 1953 the Lisunov was replaced by the Ilyushin Il-14.

The aircraft not only proved itself as a transport aircraft, but during the war it was used for military transport, supplying partisan units and also transporting or evacuating the wounded. It is rumored that somewhere they also served as bombers. After the war it was included in the fleets of several national carriers of the so-called former Eastern Bloc, such as Aeroflot, LOT, CSA or MALÉV.

The Lisunov Li-2 designated HA-LIX from the Goldtimer Foundation 's fleet was manufactured in 1949 in Tashkent. It first flew in the service of the Hungarian Air Force before being handed over to the state-owned Malév airline . It flew for them between 1958 and 1964, after which it was returned to the Hungarian Air Force, where it was used as a parachute trainer until 1974, when it was "finally" scrapped and stored in the Szolnok Aviation Museum. Fortunately, it was found there in 1997 by Goltimer with the aim of completely restoring it to flying condition. On 21 September 2001, the restored Lisunov Li-2 made its second first flight. Since 2008 it can then be seen in its current vintage Malév livery .

We are also preparing the possibility of sight-seeing flights. More information coming soon.

Pilot: To be determined

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