Engineering:Richter Ric Jet 4
| Ric Jet 4 | |
|---|---|
 Front quarter view of the Ric Jet 4 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Experimental aircraft |
| National origin | American |
| Manufacturer | George Richter |
| Number built | 1 |
| Registration | N24RJ |
| History | |
| First flight | 1974 |
The Richter Ric Jet 4 was an experimental ducted fan monoplane, dating from the early 1970s. It was developed by George Richter of Los Angeles, through his company Ric Jet Systems Research & Development.[1]
Design and development
Richter had conducted research into ducted fan aircraft, building and testing a series of progressively sophisticated flying models. A 1/8th scale model, based on a proposed full scale aircraft, performed so well that it prompted Richter to progress with making the full-sized version of it.[2]
The Ric Jet 4 was a mid-wing monoplane, constructed entirely from pop-riveted aluminum sheets, channels, and tubing. The pilot was located at the front of the fuselage, sitting in a reclined position in a fully enclosed cockpit. Located immediately behind the pilot, and at the aircraft's center of gravity was a Mazda Wankel rotary engine, which powered a two-bladed wooden fan. A cylindrical duct, some 10 ft (3.0 m) long, surrounded the fan.[2] The wings were located just ahead of the intake to the duct, and were set at an anhedral angle and with some sweep back. A cruciform tail was positioned above and to the rear of the duct. The aircraft was equipped with a retractable tricycle undercarriage, though flights were conducted with the wheels being locked down. The wings could be folded upwards, to a vertical position, which enabled the craft to be trailerable.[1]
The Ric Jet 4 incorporated some unusual control features. There were no ailerons, with lateral control being provided by spoilers in the wings' upper surface. There was a split rudder, which allowed for good low-speed directional control.[1][2]
Operational history
Testing of the Ric Jet 4 took place at the Mojave, California airport, and progressed at relatively slow pace, due to budgetary constraints. By the early 1980s, the Ric Jet 4 was reported to have been donated to the Planes of Fame Air Museum at Chino, California.[1]
Specifications
Data from Sport Aviation[2], Popular Mechanics[3], and Aerofiles[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 22 ft (6.7 m)
- Wingspan: 18 ft (5.5 m)
- Width: 2 ft 1 in (0.64 m) fuselage
- Powerplant: 1 × Mazda Wankel 12A rotary, 130 hp (97 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 200 mph (320 km/h, 170 kn)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Bede XBD-2
- RFB/Grumman American Fanliner
- Ligeti Stratos
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 de Piolenc, F. Marc; Wright, Jr., George E. (2015) (in en). Ducted Fan Design - Volume 1. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. pp. 98–99. https://www.google.co.nz/books/edition/Ducted_Fan_Design_Volume_1/EvPYCgAAQBAJ?q=richter+ric-jet+4&gbpv=1#f=false.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Cox, Jack (March 1975). "The Ric Jet". Sport Aviation (Hales Corners, WI: EAA) 17 (3): 30–33. https://www.scribd.com/document/347247054/Sport-Aviation-Mar-1975#content=query:richter,pageNum:30,indexOnPage:0,bestMatch:false.
- ↑ "Homebuilt plane with a prop in the middle". Popular Mechanics (New York, NY: Hearst Corporation) 149 (4): 8. April 1978. https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=tc8DAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA8&dq=richter%20ric-jet%204&pg=PA8#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ↑ Eckland, E.O. "American airplanes: Ric-Jet". Aerofiles. http://www.aerofiles.com/_ra.html.
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