Jurgis Dobkevičius
Jurgis Dobkevičius (23 March 1900 – 8 June 1926) was a pioneering aviator and aircraft designer in interwar Lithuania.
Jurgis Dobkevičius | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 March 1900 Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire |
| Died | 8 June 1926 (aged 26) Kaunas, Lithuania |
| Cause of death | Airplane crash |
| Alma mater | L'Ecole Superieure d'Aeronautique |
| Occupation(s) | Aviator, aircraft designer |
| Parent |
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| Awards | Order of the Cross of Vytis |
Educated in Russia, Dobkevičius joined the Lithuanian Army in 1919. During the Polish–Lithuanian War and the Żeligowski's Mutiny in July–November 1920, Dobkevičius flew 21 missions. After about 400 flight hours, he retired from active military service in 1923 in order to study at L'Ecole Superieure d'Aeronautique in Paris.
Dobkevičius designed, built, and tested three monoplanes: sports aircraft Dobi-I (August 1922), military surveillance aircraft Dobi-II (October 1923), and fighter Dobi-III (November 1924). Dobkevičius' designs were noted for their speed and aerodynamics. However, the designs sacrificed pilot's visibility, particularly when looking down to land. This led to several Dobi crashes when landing. Dobkevičius died when Dobi-III crashed during its second test flight in June 1926.