The POLET 5.6 cc model was produced in Kiev in the Ukraine beginning in the mid 1960's. Designed by Boris Krasnoroutski, it was a simple plain bearing crankshaft front rotary valve engine which was intended to serve as a "clubman's" control line stunt engine using which aspiring competitors in that category could gain experience. It was made in large numbers and distributed widely through the Soviet school and club systems. Quality was somewhat variable, but most examples could be made to run reasonably well.

The engine's bore and stroke measurements taken from the specifications in the instruction sheet are 20.5 mm and 17.7 mm respectively for a calculated displacement of 5.84 cc (0.356 cuin.) - a little largher than the engine's designated displacement. These figures make the POLET an unusually short-stroke engine for a stunt motor.

The POLET appeared in two successive variants, also being offered in a seemingly rare diesel version. It appears that glow fuel and glow-plugs may have been in short supply in certain areas of the vast Soviet Union, since this is by no means the only Russian glow-plug engine to be offered in diesel configuration.

A full review and test of both the glow-plug and diesel versions of this engine will appear on this website in due course. The POLET is also covered somewhat briefly in my article on the history of model engine manufacture in the USSR.