Argo-02

Argo-02: The “Hardware Store Fighter Jet”

The Argo-02 is a legendary Russian amateur-built aircraft designed to be the “People’s Plane.” It looks like a miniature World War II fighter but is engineered to be built with the cheapest, most common materials available—the kind you find at a local hardware or lumber store, not a specialized aviation supplier.

Why Is It So Special?

• Radically Cheap Construction: This is its defining feature. The Argo-02 is designed to be built using common pine wood, furniture-grade plywood, and standard steel.

• Sporty “Fighter” Design: It’s a clean, low-wing monoplane with no external struts, giving it a fast look and agile, fun handling in the air.

• Uses Alternative Engines: It was designed to fly with cheap, reliable snowmobile engines, but its simple wooden frame allows builders to adapt everything from Volkswagen engines to industrial motors.

Performance and Key Numbers

Thanks to its clean, lightweight design, the Argo-02 gets impressive performance from very little power.

General Specifications:

• Crew: 1 pilot

• Wingspan: 20.7 ft (6.3 m)

• Length: 14.9 ft (4.55 m)

• Height: 5.9 ft (1.8 m)

• Empty Weight: 320 lbs (145 kg)

• Max Takeoff Weight: 518 lbs (235 kg)

• Fuel Capacity: 4 U.S. Gallons (15 liters)

• G-Limits: +4 / -2 G

Performance (with an approx. 30 hp engine):

• Maximum Speed: 99 mph (160 km/h)

• Cruise Speed: 68-75 mph (110-120 km/h)

• Stall Speed: 45 mph (72 km/h)

• Rate of Climb: ~400 ft/min (2 m/s)

• Takeoff Distance: 260-330 ft (80-100 m)

• Landing Distance: 260 ft (80 m)

• Fuel Consumption: 2 – 2.5 gallons per hour (8-10 L/h)

In summary, the Argo-02 is the ultimate proof that you don’t need NASA-grade materials to build a fantastic airplane. It’s the perfect choice if you want a beautiful, sporty, and efficient aircraft for the cost of building a garden shed.