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The Bölkow Bo.209C Monsun 160RV, is a side-by-side two-seater, single-engine, low-wing light touring aircraft produced by the German manufacturer Bölkow GmbH
and later MBB, Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm. Design and development of the Bolkow Bo.209 started in 1965 as the MHK-101 by a group of Bölkow engineers in their
spare time based on the Bo.208. The designation 'MHK' resulting from the first letters of the surnames of the leaders of the project, Hermann Mylius, Walter
Heynen and Hans Kraus. The MHK-101 had folding wings and had been designed for towing along roads, an unusual feature was the fixed main undercarriage and
retractable nosewheel, the latter intended to simplify towing. Although the design of the light all-metal two-seater training, aerobatics and glider towing MHK-101
was based on the Bo.208, the result was a vastly different aircraft with little commonality of parts with its predecessor. The fuselage was wider; the wings were
redesigned and relocated to a low-wing configuration instead of the braced shoulder-wing configuration of the Bo 208 and made foldable for transport and storage.
On 22 December 1967, the prototype MHK-101 flew first and finally the project resulted in the Bölkow Bo.209, that had an increased wing span. Production of the
Bölkow Bo.209 started in 1969. The aircraft was marketed with a choice of the fixed or retractable nose wheel, either a 150-hp or 160-hp Lycoming engine, and
an optional variable-pitch propeller. A trainer version with dual controls was also manufactured. A projected development, the MHK-102 having inward-retracting
main-wheels, etc. was planned as the Bölkow Bo.210 but didn't make it. With orders for the Bo.209 comming in in larger numbers, a commercial success of the project
seemed secured, but the fusion of the Bölkow GmbH into Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm GmbH (MBB) on 14 May 1969, led in February 1972 to the economic decision to stop
building the Bo.209. Although there were 275 orders, only 102 Monsun were manufactured between 1969 and 1971. In the late 90's Dr. Mylius's son, Albert Mylius,
completed a totally revised version of the design under a new company "Mylius Flugzeugwerk GmbH & Co KG" based in Bitburg. Two models were produced: a single seat
developed as a low cost aerobatic airplane (MY-102) and a two-seat (MY-103) Mylius Aircraft which has some variations over the original Bo 209 design, like wider
cockpit, better handling characteristics and improved overall performance (including aerobatic rating) with a more powerful 200HP engine. |
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