Aircraft with lowest stalling airspeed?

[Ayahuasca]

Just wondering which conventional non VTOL non microlight fixed wing aircraft has the lowest stalling airspeed? I imagine something like the Fieseler Storch might be a contender. What about larger aircraft?

[FourWheelDrift]

Antonov An-2?

Edited to add

Yefim Gordon on the An-2 said:

The An-2 indeed has no stall speed quoted in the operating handbook. Pilots of the An-2 say one can fly the aircraft in full control at 30 mph (as a contrast, a modern Cessna four-seater light aircraft has a stall speed of around 50 mph). This slow stall speed makes it possible for the aircraft to fly backwards (if the aircraft is pointed into a headwind of, say, 35 mph (56 km/h), it will travel backwards at 5 mph (8.0 km/h) whilst under full control). (This is also possible with almost any other true Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft, but the Antonov has the distinction of being able to do the trick in the mildest headwind.)

Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdIDdu-19DI
Says it beat a Storch in a flying slow race.

[IroningMan]

An acquaintance of mine used to fly - maybe still does - a little two-seater that seemed to be the modern equivalent of a Storch. I can't remember what it was called, though. Began with 'M'?

[Simpo Two]

Maule.

[Al Murphy]

From a quick skim of their website the Maule has a stall speed of 38mph ( http://www.mauleflight.com/faq/M5.html )

In which case I think that in theory the Hunting H126 beats it with a stalls speed of 32mph which is ridiculously slow! I don't know whether an R&D aircraft counts as only one was made and it doesnt currently fly

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/h...

Al

[Ginetta G15 Girl]

I saw a Storch fly backwards at Booker in the early '80s.

[Ayahuasca]

Ginetta G15 Girl said:

I saw a Storch fly backwards at Booker in the early '80s.

I saw one take off almost vertically from a standing start at an air-show. Must make getting to your destination a bit of a challenge! Like beating to windward in a yacht.

[Simpo Two]

Al Murphy said:

In which case I think that in theory the Hunting H126 beats it with a stalls speed of 32mph which is ridiculously slow!

'This unusual looking research aircraft was capable of flight at speeds as low as 51.5kph (32mph) by virtue of its 'jet flaps' which used thrust ducted from the main engine to increase lift.'

[dr_gn]

Ryan Dragonfly.

[LimaDelta]

Ginetta G15 Girl said:

I saw a Storch fly backwards at Booker in the early '80s.

Managed that in a Thruster TST with the old man a few years back. Took us a while to get home.

[Cyder]

Ginetta G15 Girl said:

I saw a Storch fly backwards at Booker in the early '80s.

Dad and I watched the one at Shuttleworth being prepped and take off earlier this year, it was astonishing how slowly it flew especially into the slight head wind.

[RyanOPlastry]

My Great uncle flew FE2Bs. Landing vertically or even backwards was no problem with a headwind.

[davepoth]

Some of the customised Piper Cubs in Alaska and Canada are faintly ridiculous for landing and takeoff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90tFADjUC1s

[Al Murphy]

Simpo Two said:

'This unusual looking research aircraft was capable of flight at speeds as low as 51.5kph (32mph) by virtue of its 'jet flaps' which used thrust ducted from the main engine to increase lift.'

Which bit gets me the red card ? (and why isn't there an embarrased smiley?)

Al

[eharding]

Ginetta G15 Girl said:

I saw a Storch fly backwards at Booker in the early '80s.

Practised some backwards flying in the Cub with the aid of a moderate headwind earlier in the year.

Obviously, perfectly simple to fly backwards in the Yak. Pull to the vertical, and then wait.