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Aviation History
1920
1920 - 1154.PDF
NOVEMBER 4, 1920 -TWO AMERICAN SPORTPLANES The W.A.C.O. "Cootie" and the U.S. Airplane Co.'s " L.C.7." SMAIX sporting aeroplanes are apparently receiving quite a large share of the attention of American designers, judging by the number that are making their appearance from time to time. We give this week brief particulars, and illustrations of two small machines that have just been brought to our notice—the W.A.C.O. " Cootie "' built by the Weaver Aircraft Co., of Lorain, Ohio, and the " L.C.7," built by the U.S. Airplane and Motor Engineering Co., of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. The " Cootie " is a single-seater parasol monoplane, fitted with a 30 h.p. 2-cyl. horizontally opposed air-cooled Marble engine. Its designers are Elwood J. Junkin and Clayton J. Brukner, who have aimed at producing a " Ford of the Air," in which quick get-away, fast climb, low landing-speed and light, strong and simple construction are the primary charac- teristics. The machine has a flat gliding angle, which together with the parasol arrangement of the wings gives a good range of vision, and the low landing speed of 35 m.p.h., makes for safe flying and landing. Special attention Jias been given in designing the machine so as to require the minimum Overall span Chord Overall length Total wing area Weight, empty Useful load Loading per sq. ft. Loading per h.p. . Speed range Climb 22 ft. 4ft.16 ft. - • 85 sq .ft. . • 280 lbs. 200 lbs. 5.6 lbs. 16 lbs. 35-65 m.p.h. 4,000 ft. in 10 mins. The " L.C.7 " is a small tractor biplane constructed on more or less conventional lines. In its present form it is fitted with a 42 h.p. engine, but it is intended to fit 60 h.p. engines to all the future models. There are several novel features in the construction of this machine of considerable importance in a sporting machine, such as the absence of turnbuckles in the fuselage, and the employment of rods in place of cables for the controls. This form of control not only makes for greater safety and strength, but also reduces head resistance. Two American Sport- planes : On the top, the W.A.C.O. " Cootie " para- sol monoplane, and belowf the U.S. Airplane Co.'s "L.C.7" tractor biplane of attention and adjustment. For instance, the usual wire bracing has been replaced by quick detachable steel tubes, which also add considerably to the strength of the wing struc- ture. The wings, which have the U.S.A. 4 section, embody several features that simplify production and give extreme strength and light weight. The fuselage is of ply-wood construction throughout, eliminating practically all wiring and fittings. The empennage consists of an easily detached non-lifting horizontal stabiliser to which are hinged elevator flaps, and a balanced rudder, having ample surface to ensure complete control in handling the machine on the ground. The elevators are operated by a steel tube connecting the control stick to a crank projecting downward, within the fuselage, from leading edge of the divided elevator, this member, of course, passing right across the, fuselage. Lateral control obtained by warping the wings. The landing chassis consists of two 5-ply laminated stream- lined V members, to which the axle is secured by rubber shock- absorbers. The engine, which develops 30 h.p. at 1,450 r.p.m. andweighs 128 lbs., complete, drives direct a tractor screw of 6 ft. diameter and 4 ft. 9 ins; pitch. The principal character-istics of the " Cootie " are :— Another feature is the covering of the forward cock-pit, which allows the carrying of packages or parcels when a passenger is not carried. When a passenger is taken, the cover is removed and a portable seat, which is provided with the machine, is attached to the seat rails. The following are the principal dimensions and character- istics of the " L.C.7 " as equipped with a 60 h.p. engine :— Span Overall length Overall height Chord Wing section Area of main planes Area of elevators ... Area of rudder Area of ailerons Area of stabilisers Weight, empty Useful load Weight per sq. ft. (loaded) Weight per h.p. (loaded) ... Speed range Fuel capacity .*,». II56 26 ft. . - 20 ft. 1 in. 6 ft. 8 ins. 3 ft. 6 ins. U.S.A. r modified. 165 sq. ft. 6J sq. ft. 7f sq. ft. 8£ sq. ft. 131 sq- ft. 520 lbs. 580 lbs. 6.66 lbs. 18.33 lbs 26-85 m.p.h. i\ hours. . -• •
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