Powell PH Racer

The Powell PH Racer was a 1920s air racer which held the distinction of having won all the races it entered.[1]

Powell PH Racer
Role Air Racer
National origin United States of America
Designer CH Powell
Variants Shirlen Big Cootie

Design and development

The aircraft was designed by Professor C.H. Powell, teacher at the Aeronautics Department of the University of Detroit.[2]

The biplane racer used an all-wood fuselage with birch paneling. The wing spars were also wood with fabric covering. Uniquely, the aileron hinges were made of leather.[3]

Operational history
Race Winnings
  • 1925 National Air Races piloted by Jerry V. Dack of Dayton, Ohio
  • Aero Digest Trophy (Dack)
  • The Dayton Daily News Trophy
  • The Scientific American Trophy

The Powell Racer was returned to the University of Detroit where it was destroyed in static load tests.

Variants
  • Shirlen Big Cootie A set of plans were drawn up for the Powell PH Racer, using steel tubing for the fuselage.[4]

Specifications (Powell Racer)
Powell PH 3-view drawing from Les Ailes January 7, 1926

Data from experimenter

General characteristics

  • Capacity: one
  • Length: 14 ft (4.3 m)
  • Wingspan: 15 ft 9 in (4.80 m)
  • Wing area: 76 sq ft (7.1 m2)
  • Airfoil: RAF 15
  • Empty weight: 310 lb (141 kg)
  • Gross weight: 475 lb (215 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 8 gal (30 litres)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Cherub , 32 hp (24 kW)
  • Propellers: single blade Curtiss-Ried

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 74 kn (85 mph, 137 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 65 kn (75 mph, 121 km/h)
  • Stall speed: 43 kn (50 mph, 80 km/h)
  • Range: 350 nmi (400 mi, 640 km)

References
  1. Experimenter. June 1957. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. Aero Digest. Dec 1925. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. "THE POWELL LIGHT 'PLANE A Successful American Machine with Bristol " Cherub " Engine". Flight: 852–855. 31 December 1925.
  4. Experimenter. June 1957. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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