Fairchild F-46

Model 46
Fairchild F-46
Role	Light aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Fairchild Aircraft, Duramold Aircraft Corporation, Clark Corporation, Fairchild Airplane Investments Corporation and Molded Aircraft Corporation [1]
Designer	Virginius E. Clark
First flight	12 May 1937
Number built	1

The Fairchild F-46, also known as the Duramold Aircraft Corporation F-46 A and Clark GA-46 , is a light aircraft that was built using the Duramold process, which involves using pressure to form wood with resin. Only one aircraft was produced, it was a single engine aircraft that first flew in May 1937. The Duramold process was later used on the Hughes H-4 Hercules.

The aircraft was re-engined with the Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior in 1947.

Design

The Model 46 is a low-wing, cabin aircraft, with conventional landing gear and structures made using Duramold processes. The fuselage is constructed of two halves bonded together. The wings use wooden spars with plywood covering. The control surfaces use aluminum frames with aircraft fabric covering. A 50 U.S. gallons (190 L; 42 imp gal) fuel tank was mounted in each wing.^{[ citation needed ]}

Operational history

In 1947 the Model 46 prototype was re-engined with a Pratt & Whitney R-985 and flown for ten years. ^[2]

Specifications (Fairchild 46)

Data from FAA TCDS ^[3]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 4 passengers
• Gross weight: 4,800 lb (2,177 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 100 U.S. gallons (380 L; 83 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Ranger SGV-770B-5 , 420 hp (310 kW)
• Propellers: 2-bladed

Performance

• Maximum speed: 178 kn (205 mph, 330 km/h)
• Never exceed speed: 220 kn (250 mph, 400 km/h)

Avionics

• Transmitter (Lear UT4)
• Transmitter (Lear UT6)
• Receiver (Lear R3)
• Compass (Fairchild)
• Fixed antenna (transmitter)
• Fixed antenna (compass)
• Motoreel, Receiver (RCA AVR-7 series)
• Transmitter (RCAAVT-7, -12, -12A)
• Dynamotor (RCA)
• Compass (RCA)

See also

Related development

• Hughes H-4 Hercules made with the Duramold process

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Fairchild 45

References

1. "F-46" . Retrieved 9 February 2012.
2. Pike, Johnny (2003). "Fairchild F-46 Restoration". Fairchild F-46. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
3. "Suramold Aircraft Corporation: Models: Duramold F-46A, 5PCLM: T.C. Number: 2-545" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration . Retrieved February 13, 2021.