Pitcairn Mailwing

Last updated
Mailwing
Pitcairn PA-8 Mailwing NC10753 during airshow at Geneseo, NY, MDF 0840.jpg
PA-8 Mailwing in flight
General information
TypeMail carrier and sport
National originUnited States
Manufacturer Pitcairn Aircraft Company
Designer
Primary user United States Post Office Department
Number built106
History
Introduction date1927
First flight1927
Developed from Pitcairn PA-4 Fleetwing II
PA-6 Super Mailwing NC15307 at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Pitcairn PA-6 Mailwing NC15307 Old Rhinebeck,NY MDF 2143.jpg
PA-6 Super Mailwing NC15307 at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

The Pitcairn Mailwing family is a series of American mail carrier and three-seat sport utility biplane aircraft produced from 1927 to 1931.

Contents

Design and development

The Pitcairn Mailwings were developed to carry air mail for the United States Post Office Department. Of simple and robust construction, they had relatively benign flying characteristics. [1]

They were constructed using chrome-moly steel tube and square-section spruce spars with spruce and plywood built-up ribs. The fuselage was faired using wooden formers and covered with fabric. The tail sections were built up from steel tube and fabric-covered. The Pitcairn Mailwing had a ground-adjustable fin and in-flight adjustable tailplane. [1]

The undercarriage was of outrigger type with Oleo-Spring shock absorbers and disc brakes on the mainwheels. All versions looked very similar and changes were minor, with several fuselage extensions being the most obvious. [1]

The mail was carried in a fireproof metal-lined compartment forward of the pilot's cockpit. The Mailwings were flown extensively by the U.S. Air Mail service from 1927 until the end of dedicated Air-Mail routes. [1]

Pitcairn also built the same aircraft in sport versions for private use. These aircraft had the mail compartment removed, and a side-by-side two-seat cockpit was fitted. [1]

Variants

Pitcairn Mailwing PA-5, at the National Air and Space Museum Pitcairn pa-5 mailwing National Air and Space Museum photo D Ramey Logan.jpg
Pitcairn Mailwing PA-5, at the National Air and Space Museum
PA-7S Super Sport Mailwing PA7-S mailwing.jpg
PA-7S Super Sport Mailwing

Data from: Aerofiles : Pitcairn [2]

Operators

Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States

Survivors and aircraft on display

Specifications (PA-7M Super Mailwing)

Pitcairn PA-7 Sport Mailwing 3-view from Aero Digest April, 1930 Pitcairn PA-7 Sport Mailwing 3-view Aero Digest April,1930.png
Pitcairn PA-7 Sport Mailwing 3-view from Aero Digest April, 1930

Data fromJane's all the World's Aircraft 1931, [5] Aerofiles: Pitcairn [2]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

(Partial listing, only covers most numerous types)

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Juptner, Joseph P. (1963). U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol.2. Los Angeles: Aero Publishers. pp. 279–81.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Eckland, K.O. "Pitcairn". aerofiles.com. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  3. "Pitcairn Mailwing" . Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  4. "Pitcairn" . Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  5. Grey, C.G., ed. (1931). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1931. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. p. 307c.

Bibliography