Cassutt Special
Cassutt Special |
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Role |
Formula 1 racing aircraft |
Manufacturer |
Homebuilt |
Designer |
Tom Cassutt |
First flight |
1954 |
The Cassutt Special is a tiny single-seat racing aircraft designed in the United States in 1951 and still available for homebuilding in 2008. The brainchild of ex-TWA captain Tom Cassutt, it is a mid-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed tailwheel undercarriage. The fuselage and tail are of fabric-covered steel tube construction, and the wings are built from plywood over wooden ribs.
In 2008, plans and kits are marketed by National Aeronautics Company.
Operational history
- 1958 - Tom Cassutt flies his Cassutt to win the National Championship Midget Air Races at Ft. Wayne, Indianna. [1]
Variants
- Cassutt I - Developed in 1951, First race at Dansville, New York in 1954.
- Cassutt II
- Cassutt III
Specifications (Cassutt III racer)
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Length: 16 ft 0 in (4.88 m)
- Wingspan: 15 ft 0 in (4.57 m)
- Height: 4 ft 0 in (1.22 m)
- Wing area: 68 ft2 (6.3 m2)
- Empty weight: 500 lb (227 kg)
- Gross weight: 850 lb (386 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental O-200, 100 hp (65 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 248 mph (400 km/h)
- Range: 450 miles (725 km)
- Rate of climb: 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s)
References
- ^ Sport Aviation. Novemebr 1958.
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
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