Fleet 50
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| 50 Freighter | |
|---|---|
| Type | General utility aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Fleet Aircraft |
| Maiden flight | 1938 |
| Number built | 5 |
The Fleet 50 Freighter was a twin-engine biplane Canadian general utility aircraft designed and built by Fleet Aircraft. A peculiar looking aircraft it had a promise as a freighter and general use aircraft but it was seriously underpowered and only five were built.
[edit] Development
Design was started in 1936 to create a general purpose twin-engined utility aircraft for the Canadian market. It was designed as a short take-off freighter with features added to ease cargo handling. The Freighter was a biplane with the lower wing an inverted gull-wing with either a float or wheel landing gear. Two radial piston engines were mounted in nacelles on the upper wing panels.
The fuselage structure was welded steel tubing with duralumin formers, and a semi-monocoque duralumin nose section. The wings were stressed-skin metal structure on the inboard panels and fabric-covered wood beams and duralumin ribs on the outboard panels. The fuselage had room for two crew and up to ten passengers. Large doors and a roof-mounted chain hoist were fitted for use in the cargo role.
The prototype designated the 50J first flew on 22 February 1938 powered by two 285 hp (213 kW) Jacobs L-5MB 7-cylinder radial engines. It was later re-engined with 330 hp Jacob L-6MB engines and re-designated the 50K. A further four aircraft were built all with L-6MB engines.
None of the aircraft was operated for long as the design was underpowered and could not maintain height on only one engine.
[edit] Specifications (50K landplane)
Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 1817
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 10 passengers or freight
- Length: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m)
- Wingspan: 45 ft 0 in (13.72 m)
- Height: 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m)
- Wing area: 528 ft² (49.05 m²)
- Empty weight: 4600 lb (2087 kg)
- Gross weight: 8326 lb (3777 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Jacobs L-6MB 7-cylinder radial engine, 330 hp (246 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 150 mph (241 km/h)
- Range: 650 miles (1046 km)
- Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4570 m)
[edit] References
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 1817
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