Acme Sierra

Acme S-1 Sierra (Sue)
General information
Type	Experimental light aircraft
National origin	United States of America
Manufacturer	Acme Aircraft Company (Sierradyne Inc.)
Designer	Ron Beattie, Walt Fellers
Status	Museum exhibit
Number built	1
History
First flight	23 November 1953

The Acme Aircraft Co S-1 Sierra was an experimental aircraft of unusual configuration built in the US in 1948 to investigate the advantages of a pusher propeller configuration. ^{[1] [2]} Apart from this engine installation, the aircraft was unusual in having an Y-shaped tail incorporating ruddervators on the upper fins. The wing was shoulder-mounted on the fuselage and was unswept.

During the 1960s, the US aerospace manufacturer Northrop used the aircraft as a technology demonstrator for boundary layer control concepts. ^{[2] [3]}

Specifications (S-1 Sierra)

Data from Flight Magazine ^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 18 ft (5.5 m)
• Wingspan: 30 ft (9.1 m)
• Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
• Wing area: 67 sq ft (6.2 m²)
• Empty weight: 590 lb (268 kg)
• Gross weight: 900 lb (408 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 15
• Powerplant: 1 × Continental C-85 4-cyl. air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 85 hp (63 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 200 mph (320 km/h, 170 kn)
• Cruise speed: 185 mph (298 km/h, 161 kn)
• Range: 500 mi (800 km, 430 nmi)
• Wing loading: 13.5 lb/sq ft (66 kg/m²)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Göppingen Gö 9

References

1. "Single-Seat Pusher: An interesting experiment in high performance for lightplanes". Flight Magazine. 40 (5). Dallas, TX: Air Review Publishing Corporation: 26, 28, 41. November 1953. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
2. "Acme Aircraft Co (Sierradyne Inc) S-1 Sierra (Sue)". wmof.com. Western Museum of Flight. Archived from the original on 28 March 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
3. Eckland, E.O. "American airplanes: Acme Aircraft Co". www.aerofiles.com. Aerofiles. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2025.