C512 Belugaléo

C512 Takáura-Proole C512 Belugaléo
Airlifter
Both Sarconian Air Force C512 Belugaléos, A512-006 'The Glutton of Esperi' and A512-007 'Ud Netuar', perform an elephant walk at Koyma AFB, Aerfel.
Role		Heavy Transport Airlifter
National Origin		Algiza, Tekkia
Production History
Produced
2149 - 2154
Designer		Takáura, Proole
Unit Cost		31,8785(√)
Number Built		7 (including 2 prototypes)
Service History
In Service
2147 - Ongoing
Used By		Takáura New Grestin Air Force Arvenian Air Force Sarconian Air Force
Aircraft Characteristics
Dry Mass		165,535 kg
Length		61.7 m
Width		49.4 m
Height		17.1 m
Propulsion		6 x Corain Motors PN-09-10 High Bypass Turbofan Engines 6 x [pelican engines]
Maximum Velocity		220m/s
Operational Range		400km km
Crew		Two Pilots 128-240 passenger capacity
Variants		C512-100 (A512-001, 006, 007) C512-200 (A512-002, A512-003, (A512-004, A512-005)

The Takáura-Proole C512 Belugaléo or EL-512 Belugaléo is a strategic heavy lift cargo aircraft designed and produced by Takáura and Proole in Algiza and Tekkia.

Development

Work on the aircraft was split roughly evenly between the two companies. The cockpit, main wings and front fuselage sections were designed and manufactured by Takáura, while Proole developed the empennage, cargo door mechanism, rear fuselage and main gears. The second prototype and first three production models were powered by 6 [pelican engines]. The other three aircraft in the Belugaléo fleet were powered by 6 Sarconian PN-09-10 high-bypass turbofan engines of the same type used on the CP128 Orcalean. The wings of the C512 were far too large to be flown to Tekkia, and instead had to be transported by sea and rail to Proole's final assembly plant in Ambargo.

Variants and Differences

As both prototypes were essentially custom built and no serial production run was originally envisioned, the first two aircraft differed significantly to suit the needs of their operators. A512-001, the initial production example owned and operated by Takáura, was 56.7 metres long. A512-002, the second 'prototype' and anticipated final airframe, was stretched by 8 fuselage segments or 5 metres, enlarging its cargo volume to 470m³. Two extra horizontal stabilisers were added to compensate for the increased instability. Takáura's aircraft was powered by 6 Sarconian PN-09-10 high-bypass turbofans of the same type used on the CP128 Orcalean, while the second airframe used [Pelican engines].

History

A512-002 belonging to the Grestian Air Force is escorted by D-3 Triangulums during a routine flight.

After an appearance at KITE 2152, where A512-002 was used to transport Grestian equipment and exhibits to the show and then displayed half inside of Takáura's booth and half inside of Proole's, interest in the Belugaléo vastly exceeded both company's expectations. Three were ordered by Arvene, and a further two were purchased by the United Doren Front the following year.

Partly due to the unexpected demand to continue the program, the Arvenian aircraft, A512-003 through to 005, were produced to almost the exact same specifications as A512-002. For the final two planes, the UDF requested they be built to the original shorter length and use Dorvic Corain Motors engines.

Little information is known of the Arvenian Belugaleo fleet after its delivery. They were rarely sighted in flight. It was reported in 2163 that one of the planes had been cannibalised for parts to keep the other two in airworthy condition, after Seifare cut off all trade to the country following repeated thefts of its intellectual property.

The UDF's aircraft were used as a strategic airlifters, as well as contracted out under Phantom Systems to transport aircraft components from Hermia to Aerfel. Following the dissolution of the United Doren Front, A512-006 'the Glutton of Esperi' and A512-007 'Ud Netuar' (Sarconian: lit.'Endurance') were inherited by Sarconia. Both were mothballed for over a decade, but eventually fully restored in Algiza in 2174 and 2176. During the second phase of their lives, they ceased civilian contract work, with few exceptions. 006 was attached to Zeuldopine-114, while the latter operated from Fort Aitken.