| 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] |
| Unit cost | $3500 (1972) |
The Smyth Model S Sidewinder is an all metal two-seat side-by-side low-wing homebuilt aircraft, designed and built in the United States.
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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. Plans and kits for homebuilding were made available.[1]
Constructed of welded steel tubing with aluminium skinning the Sidewinder has all aluminium wings and is stressed to ±9g ultimate loading to allow aerobatics. Engines can be fitted with power ratings from 90 to 180hp, weighing up to 310 lbs, 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. The original design shared the same windscreen as a Thorp T-18.[2]
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.[3] 290 sets of plans had been sold by 1972, with at least 46 examples registered and flying.[4]
General characteristics
Performance
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