S-300 Sport | |
---|---|
Role | Sport and training two-seater |
National origin | U.S. |
Manufacturer | Inland Aviation Co. |
Designer | Dewey Bonbrake |
First flight | 19 July 1928 |
Number built | 34 |
Developed from | Bahl Lark and Bonbrake Parasol |
The Inland Sport series of parasol wing, sport and training side-by-side two seaters, introduced between 1928 and 1930, differed chiefly in their engines. They used three different radial engines, more than doubling the Sport's power over two years of development. 34 examples were built and frequently re-engined.
Before joining Inland Aviation Co., founded in 1928, Dewey Bonbrake had designed and built his Bonbrake Parasol, based on the Bahl Lark. Almost all of his designs for Inland were variations on the former. These were 30 ft (9.1 m) span, parasol wing monoplanes with side-by-side open cockpit seating for two, designed to be powered by a range of five or seven cylinder radial engines. [1]
The wing was a two spar structure, rectangular in plan out to rounded tips. The spars were wooden (spruce) but the ribs metal (duralumin). Chrome-molybdenum steel, N-form struts from the spars attached the wing to the lower fuselage, assisted centrally by a short cabane. Chrome-molybdenum steel was used structurally throughout the rest of the airframe, including the differential ailerons. [1] [2]
The engine was nose-mounted was mounted with its cylinders exposed for cooling. The first prototype, the S-100, was powered by a five cylinder, 55 hp (41 kW) Velie M-5. As more powerful and heavier engines were used in later variants the nose length decreased to maintain trim. [1] Behind the engine the Sport's fuselage was based on a welded structure and was flat-sided with rounded decking. Its open, side-by-side cockpit was under the wing, limiting the upward view but improving tutor to pupil communication, with a large luggage compartment behind it. Its tail was conventional with a straight-edged, rounded-tipped tailplane, mounted on top of the fuselage structure and braced to the lower longerons, which carried elevators of similar plan apart from cut-outs for rudder movement. Its pilot could trim the Sport in flight by adjusting the tailplane angle of incidence. The vertical tail was also rectangular in profile out to a rounded top. The rudder reached to the keel, where a short tailskid attached to it assisted ground manoeuvrability. [2]
The Sport's main undercarriage was fixed and of wide track, with the wheels on separate axles mounted on the lower fuselage longerons, as were the drag struts. Legs, including oleo struts, were mounted on the forward wing struts at points reinforced by short struts to the upper and lower longerons. [2]
Between 1928 and 1930 six Sport models appeared, differing chiefly in their engine power which ranged from 55 to 145 hp (41 to 108 kW) delivered by three different engine types, each with their own variants. In all 34 were built and at least nine had at least two different engines during their lives. The most powerful Sport variant, the sole W-600 Super Sport fitted with a 145 hp (108 kW) Warner Scarab, was destroyed during a test flight. [1]
Inland Aircraft were declared bankrupt in 1932. [3]
Data from aerofiles: Inland [1]
All variants had 30 ft (9.1 m) span wings and lengths between 19 ft 4 in (5.89 m) and 19 ft 10 in (6.05 m).
Data from Aero Digest September 1929 [2] except where noted.
General characteristics
Performance
The Clarke Cheetah was a single-engined amateur built aircraft built in the UK using some parts from a de Havilland Humming Bird to produce a machine that could fly either as a biplane or as a parasol winged monoplane. The single example flew for five years before being converted again in 1936.
The Davis D-1 is an American light two-seat parasol-winged monoplane of the late 1920s.
The Koolhoven F.K.44 was a two-seat, single engine sport monoplane designed and built in the Netherlands in the early 1930s. It was built to order, but only one was completed.
The Peitz 101, aka Peitz Avionette, was a French amateur-built, all-metal light aircraft, first flown during the winter of 1931–32.
The Peyret-Nessler Libellule (Dragonfly) was a French two-seat, low-powered parasol wing light aircraft built in 1927 to provide practical but economical flying. It was one of the first of these French avionettes.
The Morane-Saulnier MS.152 was a French multi-purpose aircraft built in 1928. It did not go into production.
The G.A.C. 102 Aristocrat or General 102 Aristocrat is a single-engined cabin monoplane built in the US just before the Great Depression. It proved popular, with over forty built; an early example was taken on an aerial survey of Antarctica. One survives.
The Silesia S-4 was a Polish, low-power parasol wing aircraft built in 1925. After an engine change and airframe modifications it became one of the Silesian Aeroclubs fleet. It was lost in a take-off accident in 1931 and was the last Silesia aircraft to fly.
The D.K.D.3 was a Polish, single seat, parasol-wing sports aircraft first flown in 1927. Only one was built but flew in demonstrations and in national competitions into the early 1930s.
The LKL IV and LKL V were a pair of very similar Polish parasol wing two-seaters, built in the early 1930s. They differed primarily in their engines.
The Sido S.1 was a Polish two seat, parasol wing trainer aircraft, first flown in 1930.
The Stiles Dragon Fly was an American two seat monoplane aircraft of the late 1920s. It was aimed at private and club owners. Significant production was planned but few were built.
The Pacer Monoplane was a parasol wing, four seat, light aircraft, flown and produced in the US in the late 1920s.
The Simplex Red Arrow was a US single-engined monoplane produced in the late 1920s and early 1930s and intended as club machine or mail transport. Most used radial engines in the 90–110 hp (67–82 kW) range. They carried one or two passengers whose seats could be open or enclosed. One variant, the Red Arrow Dual Plane, was easily converted from monoplane to biplane and was available with two versions of the much more powerful Wright Whirlwind engines. In all about 20 were built.
The Watkins Skylark was an American low-wing, cantilever two-seater designed for private and club use. A large anticipated production run in 1930 ended early when the company collapsed in the Great Depression, with only five or six registered.
The Zenith Albatross Z-12 was a large, three-engined airliner built in the United States in 1928. It could carry up to 11 passengers. Only one was completed.
The Ireland Privateer was a 1930s American two-seat, single pusher-engined monoplane sports flying boat which could be equipped as an amphibian. About 18 were built.
The Huntington H-11 Governor was a two-seat cabin monoplane with a high, cantilever wing built in the United States and first flown around 1930. Three were completed.
The Franklin Sport is a two seat sport and training biplane built in the U.S. in 1930. Several different engines, in the power range 55–90 hp (41–67 kW), were fitted. Two remained airworthy in 2011.
The States Super Monoplane was a tandem two seat, civil sport and trainer aircraft built in small numbers at the start of the U.S Great Depression.