Issue No 21 THE AVIATION HISTORIAN 113
by a 225 h.p. Continental O-470-A six-cylinder
horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine driving
a Hartzell metal constant-speed propeller, the
NU-225 prototype, serial “X-02”, made its first
flight on September 25, 1957. The improved
Bee was of a similar size and configuration to
the NU-200, but was reportedly fitted with a
retractable tricycle undercarriage, although this
seems unlikely. The wing was again of wooden
construction but employed a NACA 23015
aerofoil at the root, which slimmed to a NACA
23009 aerofoil at the tip. The flaps were split-
type again, but were mechanically, rather than
electrically, operated.
The AURI close-support programme did not
proceed any further than the two Sikumbang
prototypes, and although work was reportedly
begun in 1960 on a four-seat liaison version
of the NU-225 (a civilian version designated
the Model 260 Kumbang — Beetle — was
reported as 80 per cent complete in Jane’s All
The World’s Aircraft 1969–70), all work on the
type was ultimately abandoned. The prototype
Sikumbang was retired in 1967 and placed on a
pedestal in front of the workshops at Bandung.
It remains in excellent condition in the former
AURI workshop sheds at Bandung today.The Grasshopper
In 1957, for reasons that remain unclear, the
AURI decided to take a look at its fleet of Piper
L-4J Cubs to explore whether the type could be
reworked into a more suitable trainer, essentially
by taking an example apart and putting it back
together in a different order. The result was the
low-winged NU-85 Belalang (Grasshopper),
powered by the Piper’s 85 h.p. Continental
C-85 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed piston
engine driving a Sensenich two-bladed fixed-
pitch propeller, and which made its maiden
flight on April 17, 1958. After extensive testing,
the AURI decided that the low-wing BelalangABOVE The cockpit of the NU-200 was relatively simple, but included all the necessary basics, including altimeter,
r.p.m. gauge, airspeed indicator, turn-and-bank indicators, compasses, fuel gauge, climb meter and manifold-
pressure gauge. The throttle box was located on the port side, above the trim-control equipment, seen at LEFT.
The Sikumbang awaits another flight from Husein Sastranagara Air Force Base
at Bandung, with an AURI Consolidated PBY in the background. The pilot sat
just above the leading edge under a sliding cockpit canopy which provided
an excellent view in all directions.