Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Loose Special

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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.

Contents

Design

The Loose Special is a small single seat racer with conventional landing gear and a cable-braced mid-wing. The engine was replaced with a 85 hp (63 kW) Continental to compete in the Formula One air races.

Operational history

The Loose Special participated in 1933, 1935 and 1938 air races. In the 1948 Goodyear Formula One Air Races pilot Earl Ortman placed fourth at a speed of 127.339 mph (205 km/h).

Specifications (Loose Siem Special)

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; 248 km/h (154 mph)
  • Stall speed: 70 kn; 129 km/h (80 mph)
  • Endurance: 3 hr
  • Rate of climb: 2,000 ft/min (10 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 11 lb/sq ft (54 kg/m2)

    • References

    Loose Special Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA