Jurgis Dobkevičius

Jurgis Dobkevičius (23 March 1900 – 8 June 1926) was a pioneering aviator and aircraft designer in interwar Lithuania.

Educated in Russia, Dobkevičius joined the Lithuanian Army in 1919. During the Polish–Lithuanian War and the Żeligowski's Mutiny in July–November 1920, Dobkevičius flew 21 missions. After about 400 flight hours, he retired from active military service in 1923 in order to study at the Ecole Supérieure d'Aéronautique in Paris.

Dobkevičius designed, built, and tested three monoplanes: sports aircraft Dobi-I (August 1922), military surveillance aircraft Dobi-II (October 1923), and fighter Dobi-III (November 1924). Dobkevičius' designs were noted for their speed and aerodynamics. However, the designs sacrificed pilot's visibility, particularly when looking down to land. This led to several Dobi crashes when landing. Dobkevičius died in the crash of Dobi-III during its second test flight in June 1926.

Biography Early life and education Dobkevičius was born on 23 March 1900 in Saint Petersburg where his father worked in the administrative offices of the Tsar's palace.