The Nu.D-36 training aircraft, produced in 1936 by Nuri Demirağ—a pioneering figure in Turkish industrial and aviation history, a courageous Turkish entrepreneur, and a business leader—at his own aircraft factory, the Beşiktaş Tayyare Atölyesi, was designed and manufactured by Selahattin Reşit Alan, one of the Republic era’s first aircraft engineers, and his team. Also known as the “Alan 2,” the aircraft was among the most notable projects of Turkey’s early aviation industry. A total of 12 Nu.D-36 aircraft were produced.
The reconstruction and flight of the Nu.D-36 aircraft—90 years later—is an exceptionally important and historic initiative to honor “Turkish patriots who have made significant investments in Turkish aviation.” Construction of a flyable replica of the Nu.D-36 began on December 9, 2025. An 11-person team from Mach Teknik rebuilt the aircraft from scratch after approximately eight months of work. Due to the limited availability of technical drawings, old photographs, documents, and accessible technical data were meticulously examined. The aircraft’s distinctive landing gear was reproduced, its wooden-framed wings were constructed, and a dual-control system was implemented, just as in the original Nu.D-36. A refurbished Continental R-670 radial engine, updated to meet modern flight safety standards, was also integrated into the aircraft. It was manufactured in full compliance with modern safety criteria while remaining completely faithful to the original design.