Merkel Mark II
The Merkel Mark II is an American homebuilt aerobatic biplane that was designed by Edwin Merkel and produced by the Merkel Airplane Company of Wichita, Kansas in the form of plans for amateur construction. Designer Merkel died on 12 March 2012 and plans are no longer available. Design and development. The Mark II features a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit with an optional bubble canopy, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. The Mark II was intended as a two-seat trainer version as a companion to a planned single-seat competition  version. The aircraft is made from welded steel tubing with the airframe covered in sheet aluminum. Its span wings employ a NACA 23012 airfoil and each has a single torsional spar. The standard engine recommended was a Franklin Engine Company powerplant. The aircraft has an empty weight of and a gross weight of , giving a useful load of . With full fuel of the payload is .