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Scaled Composites Triumph

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Length
  
39 m

Manufacturer
  
Scaled Composites

First flight
  
July 12, 1988

Designer
  
Burt Rutan

Scaled Composites Triumph httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

The Scaled Composites Triumph was a twin-engine, business jet prototype designed and built by Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites for Beechcraft. It was known officially as the Model 143, and internally at Scaled as the "Tuna". The aircraft is a three lifting surface design, with both a small forward wing, and a small conventional horizontal stabilizer in a T-tail configuration.

Contents

Design and development

Originally, three versions of the all-composite aircraft were envisioned, one powered by piston engines, one by turboprops and one by turbofans. The only one built was the turbofan version with engines mounted on top of the wings, which was first aircraft to be powered by the Williams International FJ-44 engine. The maiden flight took place at the Mojave Airport on July 12, 1988.

The flight test program was completed and confirmed the targeted performance. The financial situation of Beech at the time, and competing projects, prevented consideration of commercial production. In February 1991, Rutan stated, "it had the potential for enormous improvements in efficiency compared to the King Air. It was as fast as the Citation II, but had 60% better fuel economy." After the test program was completed, the airframe was mounted on a pedestal at Scaled's Mojave facility for several years. The Triumph is currently on display in the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant 42.

Specifications

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1990–91

General characteristics

  • Length: 39 ft 0 in (11.89 m)
  • Wingspan: 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)
  • Height: 10 ft 11 in (3.32 m)
  • Wing area: 199.0 sq ft (18.49 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 11.55:1
  • Empty weight: 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 9,000 lb (4,082 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Williams FJ44 turbofans, 1,800 lbf (8.0 kN) thrust each

    • Performance

  • Maximum speed: 460 mph (740 km/h; 400 kn) at 35,000 ft (11,000 m)
  • Cruise speed: 391 mph; 630 km/h (340 kn)
  • Stall speed: 86 mph; 139 km/h (75 kn) (power off)
  • Range: 1,841 mi; 2,963 km (1,600 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 4,500 ft/min (23 m/s)

    • References

    Scaled Composites Triumph Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA