| Sidewinder | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1976-built Sidewinder preserved at the Florida Air Museum at Lakeland Airport | |
| Role | Homebuilt aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | Jerry Smyth |
| First flight | 21 February 1969 [1] |
The Smyth Model S Sidewinder is an all-metal, two-seat side-by-side, low-wing homebuilt aircraft, designed and developed in the United States. [2] [3]
In 1958 Jerry Smyth began the design of a monoplane sport aircraft, intended to be easy to build and fly as well as stressed to +9g for aerobatics. Construction of the prototype began in January 1967, taking two years to complete. Smyth's first component-built was a hand-carved wooden control stick grip which he said "he built the plane around". [4] Plans and kits for homebuilding were made available. [1]
Constructed of welded steel tubing with aluminum skinning, the Sidewinder has all-aluminum wings and is stressed to ±9g ultimate loading to allow aerobatics. Engines can be fitted with power ratings from 90 to 180 hp (67 to 134 kW) (some say 65-125 hp), [3] weighing up to 310 lb (141 kg), enclosed in a fibreglass cowling. A sliding canopy covers the cockpit, the landing gear uses some landing gear components from the Wittman Tailwind and conventional controls are fitted but with an all-flying tailplane for pitch control. An unusual under-fuselage spoiler is used for approach control., [5] The original design shared the same windscreen as a Thorp T-18. [6]
The prototype attended the 1969 Experimental Aircraft Association convention at Rockford, Illinois, winning the Outstanding Design Award.
Currently the rights to the Smyth Sidewinder are held by EU-Wish, which continues to market the design. [7] 290 sets of plans had been sold by 1972, with at least 46 examples registered and flying. [8]
Data fromJane's. [1]
General characteristics
Performance
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