Powell PH Racer

Powell PH Racer
General information
Type	Air Racer
National origin	United States of America
Designer	CH Powell
History
Variant	Shirlen Big Cootie

The Powell PH Racer was a 1920s air racer which held the distinction of having won all the races it entered. ^[1]

Design and development

The aircraft was designed by Professor C.H. Powell, teacher at the Aeronautics Department of the University of Detroit. ^[2]

The biplane racer used an all-wood fuselage with birch paneling. The wing spars were also wood with fabric covering. Uniquely, the aileron hinges were made of leather. ^[3]

Operational history

Race Winnings

• 1925 National Air Races piloted by Jerry V. Dack of Dayton, Ohio
• Aero Digest Trophy (Dack)
• The Dayton Daily News Trophy
• The Scientific American Trophy

The Powell Racer was returned to the University of Detroit where it was destroyed in static load tests.

Variants

• Shirlen Big Cootie A set of plans were drawn up for the Powell PH Racer, using steel tubing for the fuselage. ^[4]

Specifications (Powell Racer)

Powell PH 3-view drawing from Les Ailes January 7, 1926

Data from experimenter

General characteristics

• Capacity: one
• Length: 14 ft (4.3 m)
• Wingspan: 15 ft 9 in (4.80 m)
• Wing area: 76 sq ft (7.1 m²)
• Airfoil: RAF 15
• Empty weight: 310 lb (141 kg)
• Gross weight: 475 lb (215 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 8 gal (30 litres)
• Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Cherub , 32 hp (24 kW)
• Propellers: single blade Curtiss-Ried

Performance

• Maximum speed: 74 kn (85 mph, 137 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 65 kn (75 mph, 121 km/h)
• Stall speed: 43 kn (50 mph, 80 km/h)
• Range: 350 nmi (400 mi, 640 km)

References

1. Experimenter. June 1957.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
2. Aero Digest. Dec 1925.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
3. "THE POWELL LIGHT 'PLANE A Successful American Machine with Bristol " Cherub " Engine". Flight: 852–855. 31 December 1925.
4. Experimenter. June 1957.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)