Engineering:Fairchild 42

Model 41 and Model 42 Foursome
Model 41
Role	Utility aircraft
Manufacturer	Fairchild
Designer	John Lee
First flight	19 November 1927
Number built	8

The Fairchild Model 41 Foursome was a light aircraft developed in the United States in the late 1920s and produced as the Model 42 Foursome. It was a conventional high-wing, strut-braced monoplane with fixed tailwheel undercarriage. The pilot and three passengers were seated within a fully enclosed cabin, and the aircraft generally resembled a scaled-down version of Fairchild's successful FC-2 design. Two prototypes were built as the Model 41 and Model 41A leading to the Model 42 production version which was built in a small series. This production version differed from the prototypes in having a redesigned, strut-braced empennage in place of the wire-braced unit of the earlier aircraft, and a more powerful version of the Wright Whirlwind powerplant.

Variants

Model 41 Foursome

First prototype four seat cabin monoplane, powered by a 220 hp (160 kW) Wright J-5, one built

Model 41A Foursome

Second prototype four seat cabin monoplane, powered by a 300 hp (220 kW) Wright J-5, one built.

Model 42 Foursome

Production four seat cabin monoplane, powered by 330 hp (250 kW) Wright J-6 engines, six built and two converted from the 41 and 41A.

Survivors

NC106M has been rebuilt to airworthy standard in Alaska as of July 2008, powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior and converted to seat 7 passengers, with rear round windows added.

Specifications (Model 42)

Fairchild 41 3 view drawing from Aero Digest January 1929

General characteristics

• Crew: One pilot
• Capacity: 3 passengers
• Length: 30 ft 6 in (9.30 m)
• Wingspan: 45 ft 6 in (13.86 m)
• Powerplant: 1 × Wright J-6 , 330 hp (246 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 130 mph (210 km/h, 110 kn)
• Range: 700 mi (1,130 km, 610 nmi)

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 353. 
• aerofiles.com