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Powell PH Racer

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

Contents

Design and development

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

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.

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.

    • Specifications (Powell Racer)

    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; 137 km/h (85 mph)
  • Cruise speed: 65 kn; 121 km/h (75 mph)
  • Stall speed: 43 kn; 80 km/h (50 mph)
  • Range: 348 nmi; 644 km (400 mi)

    • References

    Powell PH Racer Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA