Tweed GT-1
| GT-1 | |
|---|---|
| |
| The GT-1 with the later canopy fitted | |
| Role | Glider |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | George Tweed Jr |
| First flight | 1960 |
| Status | Production completed |
| Number built | One |
The Tweed GT-1 is an American high-wing, FAI Open Class single seat glider that was designed by George Tweed Jr.[1]
Design and development
The GT-1 was built in concert with the Whigham GW-1 as both builders shared ideas and tools. The GT-1 first flew in 1960.[1]
The lower part of the GT-1's nose was constructed from a drop tank, with the upper part fabricated from fiberglass that was laid up using the drop tank as a mold. The landing gear is a retractable monowheel. The aircraft was initially fitted with a bubble canopy. Later the fuselage was modified to allow a more reclined pilot seating position and the canopy replaced with a more streamlined one. The modifications added 200 lb (91 kg) to the glider's empty weight and the gross weight was raised 100 lb (45 kg) in partial compensation. The GT-1's 51 ft (15.5 m) span wing employs a NACA 43012A airfoil. The initial glide ratio was 29:1, but extensive work gap-filling and contouring the aircraft raised this to 33:1.[1]
Only one GT-1 was built and the aircraft was registered in the Experimental - Amateur-Built category.[1][2]
Operational history
The GT-1 was entered in the 1960 US Nationals, but, as the designer termed it, the aircraft "proved to be a victim of technical obsolescence" and it did not place well. Both the designer and Jack Green did however complete their gold badges in the glider.[1]
By 2011 the aircraft had had its Federal Aviation Administration registry revoked and the aircraft likely no longer exists.[2]
Specifications (GT-1 later configuration)
Data from Soaring[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Wingspan: 51 ft 0 in (15.54 m)
- Wing area: 155 sq ft (14.4 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 17:1
- Airfoil: NACA 43012A
- Empty weight: 683 lb (310 kg)
- Gross weight: 853 lb (387 kg)
Performance
- Maximum glide ratio: 33:1 at 55 mph (89 km/h)
- Rate of sink: 120 ft/min (0.61 m/s) at 45 mph (72 km/h)
- Wing loading: 5.5 lb/sq ft (27 kg/m2)
See also
Related lists
References
- ^ a b c d e f Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 66, Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
- ^ a b Federal Aviation Administration (July 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results N7830C". Retrieved 4 July 2011.
External links
