Smyth Sidewinder

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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]

Design & Development

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 componant built was a hand carved wooden control stick grip which he said "he built the plane around".[3] 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 180 hp (67 to 134 kW), 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.,[4] The original design shared the same windscreen as a Thorp T-18.[5]

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.[6] 290 sets of plans had been sold by 1972, with at least 46 examples registered and flying.[7]

Specifications Smyth Sidewinder

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 1
  • Length: 19 ft 4 in (5.89 m)
  • Wingspan: 24 ft 10 in (7.57 m)
  • Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
  • Wing area: 96 sq ft (8.9 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 6.85
  • Airfoil: NACA 64-612 - NACA 64-210
  • Empty weight: 1,012 lb (459 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,450 lb (658 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 17.5 Gallons
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-290 horizontally opposed piston aircraft engine, 125 hp (93 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed, 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 152 kn; 282 km/h (175 mph)
  • Cruise speed: 139 kn; 257 km/h (160 mph) 75% power at 2,000ft (610m)
  • Stall speed: 48 kn; 89 km/h (55 mph)
  • Never exceed speed: 174 kn; 322 km/h (200 mph)
  • Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
  • G limits: ±9
  • Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s) Sea level at 24°C

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Taylor, John W. R.. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982-83. Jane's Publishing Company. London. 1983. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2
  2. ↑ Air Trails: 78. Winter 1971. 
  3. ↑ Air Progress: 48. November 1971. 
  4. ↑ "Oshkosh Sport Aircraft Galore". Flight International. 22 August 1977. 
  5. ↑ Popular Mechanics, John F Pearson and Howard Levy, August 1972
  6. ↑ Homebuilt Homepage Kits And Plans - EU-Wish
  7. ↑ Search for Aircraft by Model
  • Taylor, John W. R.. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982-83. Jane's Publishing Company. London. 1983. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2


External links

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