Engineering:Powell PH Racer
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| Powell PH Racer | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Air Racer |
| National origin | United States of America |
| Designer | CH Powell |
| Variants | Shirlen Big Cootie |
The Powell PH Racer was a 1920s air racer which held the distinction of having won all the races it entered.[1]
Design and development
The aircraft was designed by Professor C.H. Powell, teacher at the Aeronautics Department of the University of Detroit.[2]
The biplane racer used an all-wood fuselage with birch paneling. The wing spars were also wood with fabric covering. Uniquely, the aileron hinges were made of leather.[3]
Operational history
- Race Winnings
- 1925 National Air Races piloted by Jerry V. Dack of Dayton, Ohio
- Aero Digest Trophy (Dack)
- The Dayton Daily News Trophy
- The Scientific American Trophy
The Powell Racer was returned to the University of Detroit where it was destroyed in static load tests.
Variants
- Shirlen Big Cootie A set of plans were drawn up for the Powell PH Racer, using steel tubing for the fuselage.[4]
Specifications (Powell Racer)
Data from experimenter
General characteristics
- Capacity: one
- Length: 14 ft (4.3 m)
- Wingspan: 15 ft 9 in (4.80 m)
- Wing area: 76 sq ft (7.1 m2)
- Airfoil: RAF 15
- Empty weight: 310 lb (141 kg)
- Gross weight: 475 lb (215 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 8 gal (30 litres)
- Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Cherub , 32 hp (24 kW)
- Propellers: single blade Curtiss-Ried
Performance
- Maximum speed: 74 kn (85 mph, 137 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 65 kn (75 mph, 121 km/h)
- Stall speed: 43 kn (50 mph, 80 km/h)
- Range: 350 nmi (400 mi, 640 km)
References
- ↑ Experimenter. June 1957.
- ↑ Aero Digest. Dec 1925.
- ↑ "THE POWELL LIGHT 'PLANE A Successful American Machine with Bristol " Cherub " Engine". Flight: 852–855. 31 December 1925. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1925/1925%20-%200852.html.
- ↑ Experimenter. June 1957.
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