And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Crew: 1 (pilot) Length: 15 ft 1 in (4.60 m) Wingspan: 23 ft 6 in (7.16 m) Height: 7 ft (2.1 m) Wing area: 75 sq ft (7.0 m2) Airfoil: M-6 Empty weight: 1,400 lb (635 kg) Gross weight: 2,280 lb (1,034 kg) Fuel capacity: 103 US gallons (390 L; 86 imp gal) Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior radial, 535 hp (399 kW) supercharged Propellers: 2-bladed Curtiss Reed fixed pitch, 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) diameter Performance
Doolittle's autobiography (Title: I could never be so lucky again) is a collection of fascinating little bites of aviation history, offers insight into how much literal "seat of the pants" common sense intuitive engineering contributed to modern aviation.
GeeBee model Z, I think. Take the biggest engine available and build the smallest wing and fuselage that will fit and win races.
ReplyDeleteAl_in_Ottawa
the Rocketeer
ReplyDeleteGeeBee Model Z
ReplyDeleteGeneral characteristics
Crew: 1 (pilot)
Length: 15 ft 1 in (4.60 m)
Wingspan: 23 ft 6 in (7.16 m)
Height: 7 ft (2.1 m)
Wing area: 75 sq ft (7.0 m2)
Airfoil: M-6
Empty weight: 1,400 lb (635 kg)
Gross weight: 2,280 lb (1,034 kg)
Fuel capacity: 103 US gallons (390 L; 86 imp gal)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior radial, 535 hp (399 kW) supercharged
Propellers: 2-bladed Curtiss Reed fixed pitch, 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) diameter
Performance
Maximum speed: 232.314 kn (267.342 mph, 430.245 km/h)
Cruise speed: 200 kn (230 mph, 370 km/h)
Range: 780 nmi (900 mi, 1,400 km)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granville_Gee_Bee_Model_Z_Super_Sportster
Wiley Post made that little bird famous. Right?
ReplyDeleteThere'a a video on YT of one of these being flown relatively recently...kinda nerve-wracking to watch if you know the history of those planes.
ReplyDeleteJimmy Doolittle successfully raced the GeeBee. He called it the most dangerous aircraft he ever flew.
ReplyDeleteDoolittle's autobiography (Title: I could never be so lucky again) is a collection of fascinating little bites of aviation history, offers insight into how much literal "seat of the pants" common sense intuitive engineering contributed to modern aviation.
DeleteDoolittle said "It tries to bite itself in the ass".
ReplyDeleteMaybe I can't hit bottom, but I can sure slap it around the sides well enough.
ReplyDelete