Spratt Jun1974 A
Spratt Jun1974 A
Spratt Jun1974 A
THE CONTROLWING
By George G. Spratt EAA 17426
AIRCRAFT P.O. Box 351
Media, Pa. 19063
(PRo lesy of the Author)
PHOTO NO. 1
1908 Glider. Wing rocks fore and aft, lateral contro
by aileron. Single surface circular arc airfoil.
design guidance of Elliot Daland, this aircraft was re- VECTOR DIAGRAM
designed and the next model, shown in Photos No. 5 and
No. 5A, built by Bendix at South Bend. A complete
study of airfoils then available showed that there was
one, NACA 23112, having just as sharp focal point in the
flight range as the circular arc but much higher. The vec-
tor diagram in Figure 1 shows it is actually above the
chord.
This would give two advantages, not only the stable
control force needed but allow the wing to be much closer
to the center of gravity, making a lower and more prac-
tical machine. A multiple V belt drove the propeller with-
in a Venturi at the rear. This not only increased the thrust
at low speed but assures directional stability of the fuse-
lage, a requirement of this design.
The 1939 flying boat, Photo No. 6, had a Lycoming
engine mounted in the bow ahead of the passengers. A
long shaft drove the propeller located over the transom
between the extended hull sides. This was by far the most
practical aircraft up to now. It flew for many years, being
used for some test work as recently as 1960. If the identi-
fication number looks strange it is because it is licensed
as a boat, not an aircraft.
8' 6' " if V 7 f «" 8' 'O' '2' '4
CONTINUED NEXT MONTH -
SPORT AVIATION 53