Nu. D-38: First Turkish Passenger Aircraft

Nu.D-38 is the first Turkish aircraft designed and manufactured domestically in the 1930s for civilian passenger transport with twin engines. Developed under the leadership of businessman and industrialist Nuri Demirağ, this aircraft is regarded not only as a technical achievement but also as one of the first strategic steps toward Türkiye’s industrial independence. The aircraft was planned and built in accordance with the international aviation standards of its time.

The Nu.D-38 entered public consciousness on 26 May 1944 when it completed a flight from Istanbul to Ankara, and it remains an important project both from an engineering perspective and in light of the political and economic conditions of the era.

The production of the Nu.D-38 took place at the Yeşilköy Nuri Demirağ Aircraft Factory (TRT News)

Development Process and Historical Context

In the 1930s, when Türkiye’s aviation industry was still in its early stages, Nuri Demirağ aimed to establish a model based on domestic production and founded an aircraft factory in Beşiktaş in 1936. With contributions from Turkish engineer Selahattin Reşit Alan, the Nu.D-36 training aircraft was first designed, followed by the Nu.D-38 passenger aircraft in 1938. Production activities that began in Beşiktaş were quickly moved to Yeşilköy, where an aircraft factory and Gök Okulu were established. All components of the Nu.D-38 except its engines were manufactured in Türkiye.

The outbreak of the Second World War slowed progress due to the departure of some foreign technical personnel to their home countries and difficulties in securing raw materials. Nevertheless, despite all challenges, the Nu.D-38 was completed on the production line and prepared for test flights in early 1944.

Yeşilköy Nuri Demirağ Aircraft Factory (Sivas Governorate)

Design and Technical Specifications

The Nu.D-38 is a light passenger aircraft with twin engines and a capacity for six passengers, designed specifically for civilian air transport. Its design adhered to international aviation standards emerging in the late 1930s. The project was carried out at the aircraft factory established by Nuri Demirağ in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş and Yeşilköy districts.

Airframe Structure and Materials

The fuselage of the Nu.D-38 was entirely domestically produced using a wooden construction framework, with surfaces covered in linen fabric. The wings were also made of wood and reinforced internally with struts and connecting elements to enhance structural strength. This design ensured the aircraft had a lightweight and aerodynamic structure suitable for the conditions of the time.

Passenger Cabin

The aircraft featured a total of six seats: four for passengers and two for pilots. The seats were upholstered in fabric, and the cabin interior used linen and felt-like insulation materials for soundproofing. Cabin windows provided passengers with views of the outside. Lighting and ventilation systems were also installed. The aircraft was designed so that its seats could be quickly removed to convert it into a bomber if necessary.

Landing Gear

The Nu.D-38’s fixed landing gear featured shock-absorbing systems for the main wheels. The tailwheel was steerable, allowing for better ground handling. The fixed landing gear configuration provided mechanical simplicity and ease of maintenance, resulting in low operating costs.

Engines and Power System

The aircraft was equipped with two German-made Bramo Sh 14A4 engines, each producing 160 horsepower. These were seven-cylinder, air-cooled engines. The Bramo Sh 14A4 engines were particularly favored during this period for light aircraft due to their reliability and low maintenance requirements.

Cockpit and Control Systems

The aircraft featured a dual-control system, enabling both the pilot and co-pilot to operate the aircraft. This arrangement provided advantages for both training and operational safety. The instrument panel was fitted with standard flight and engine control gauges of the era.

The Nu.D-38 was a passenger aircraft equipped with advanced technology for its time. Its technical specifications are as follows:

Nu.D-38 technical specifications (generated by artificial intelligence)

Nu.D-38 test flight (Sivas Governorate)

First Flight and Test Missions

The first test flight of the Nu.D-38 was conducted on 11 February 1944 by pilots Basri Alev and Mehmet Altunbay. On 22 March 1944, it received its flight certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. On 26 May 1944, the Nu.D-38 took off from Istanbul’s Yeşilköy and successfully landed at Ankara’s Etimesgut Airfield after a flight of approximately one and a half hours. Onboard were Nuri Demirağ, Ziyat Ebuzziya, owner of the newspaper Tasvir-i Efkar, and Faruk Fenik, a reporter for the newspaper Vatan.

In the following weeks, the Nu.D-38 undertook promotional flights to various cities and countries including Bursa, İzmir, Kayseri, Sivas, Athens, and Thessaloniki. On 20 August 1944, it was exhibited at the İzmir Fair, where it was introduced under the name “Mehmetçik.”

Nuri Demirağ and the Nu.D-38 (TRT News)

Strategic, Industrial, and Political Dimensions

The production of the Nu.D-38 is one of the earliest examples of Türkiye’s policy to develop a domestic and independent defense industry. Designed for both peacetime and wartime use, the aircraft offered multi-role capabilities. This development was closely monitored by leading aviation centers of the era, including Germany, Britain, and the United States; the American Aircraft Manufacturers Association even sent observers to Türkiye.

However, none of these achievements were sustained due to institutional resistance to domestic production, orders rejected on technical pretexts, and external pressures. The Turkish Aeronautical Association refused to accept the training aircraft on grounds of technical inadequacy, and sales of the aircraft abroad were prohibited by special legislation. As a result, the production line was shut down, and the Nu.D-38 remained a symbolic achievement.

Nu.D-38 Passenger Aircraft, Ankara Etimesgut Airport, 1942. (Sivas Governorship)

Disposal Process and the End of the Project

In 1945, Nuri Demirağ entered politics, founded the National Development Party, and transitioned from industrialist to member of parliament. Following his death in 1957, the Nu.D-38 was grounded and subsequently scrapped.

The Nu.D-38 was the first serious industrial effort in Türkiye aimed at establishing a national aviation industry. Developed in accordance with the technological capacity of the era, it emerged through domestic engineering and manufacturing efforts. The aircraft represented a tangible example of Türkiye’s potential for indigenous production in both civil and military aviation. However, the project could not be sustained due to insufficient institutional and economic support.