Loose Special
(Redirected from Townsend Special)
| Loose Special | |
|---|---|
| Role | Racing aircraft |
| National origin | America |
| Designer | Chet Loose[1] |
| Introduction | 1933 |
| Number built | 1 |
The Loose Special, also called the Townsend A-1 Special, the Loose-Siem Special and the Townsend Special is a small air racer developed for the Thompson Trophy races.[2]
Design
[edit]The Loose Special is a small single seat racer with conventional landing gear and a cable-braced mid-wing.[3] The engine was replaced with an 85 hp (63 kW) Continental to compete in the Formula One air races.[4]
Operational history
[edit]The Loose Special participated in 1933, 1935 and 1938 air races.[5] In the 1948 Goodyear Formula One Air Races pilot Earl Ortman placed fourth at a speed of 127.339 mph (205 km/h).[6]
Specifications (Loose Siem Special)
[edit]Data from Skyways, Flying
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 13 ft (4.0 m)
- Wingspan: 19 ft (5.8 m)
- Empty weight: 530 lb (240 kg)
- Gross weight: 800 lb (363 kg)
- Propellers: 2-bladed McCaulley
Performance
- Maximum speed: 134 kn (154 mph, 248 km/h)
- Stall speed: 70 kn (80 mph, 130 km/h)
- Endurance: 3 hr
- Rate of climb: 2,000 ft/min (10 m/s)
- Wing loading: 11 lb/sq ft (54 kg/m2)
References
[edit]- ^ "Loose Special". Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ "Clarance Ace Bragunier". Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ Skyways. October 2001.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Flying Magazine. December 1947.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Thompson Faq" (PDF). Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ "Earl Ortman". Retrieved 17 November 2011.
