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

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

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. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ Aero Digest. Dec 1925. {{cite journal}}: 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. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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