Engineering:Atlas H-10

From HandWiki
H-10
Harlow PJC-4.jpg
Role Civil utility aircraft
Manufacturer Atlas Aircraft
Designer Max B. Harlow
First flight 4 October 1945
Number built 1

The Atlas H-10 was the prototype for a four-seat cabin monoplane aircraft, registered N37463, designed by Max Harlow, which was flown in the United States shortly after World War II.

History

The Atlas H-10 had been constructed from the unfinished Harlow PJC-4 sporting monoplane which had been left uncompleted at the outbreak of the conflict. The water heater company Rheem Manufacturing Company briefly invested in the project as the PCC-10 (Pasadena City College Model 10) but did not pursue the business. Pasadena students completed the aircraft, and its first flight was on 4 October 1945 with a 220 hp Lycoming.[1]

It was a low-wing cantilever monoplane of aluminum semi-monocoque configuration with retractable tailwheel undercarriage and powered by a variety of engines throughout its life. Originally powered by a Lycoming O-435, it was re-engined with two Continental O-300s driving contra-rotating propellers through a common gearbox and registered as the Mono-Twin. In turn, this arrangement was replaced with a Franklin 6AB and finally a Lycoming IO-720, each driving a single propeller. The cabin layout was also modified.

Operational history

Only the single H-10 was completed and flown. In the early 1970s it was based at Long Beach Airport in southern California.

As of 2006, the aircraft was reportedly still in existence in a dismantled state in the hands of a California n collector.

Variants

The sole Atlas H-10 in 1973 when fitted with a Lycoming IO-720 engine
Harlow PJC-4
Original design
Atlas PCC-10
Test aircraft
Atlas H-10
Redesignated production aircraft
Atlas Mono-Twin
Re-engined prototype with twin radial

Specifications (with Continental engines)

General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Capacity: three passengers
  • Length: 28 ft 4 in (8.64 m)
  • Wingspan: 35 ft 9 in (10.90 m)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Continental O-300 , 145 hp (108 kW) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 170 mph (274 km/h, 150 kn)

References

  1. "The Quiet Professor". Air Progress Sport Aircraft: 83. 
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 83. 
  • aerofiles.com