O'Neill Aristocraft II

Aristocraft II
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer O'Niell Aircraft Company
Designer Terrence O'Neill
Number built 1
Unit cost
US$35,950 for a kit minus engine in 1972
Developed from Waco Aristocraft[1]

The Aristocraft II was a six-place homebuilt aircraft designed by Terrence O'Neill.[2]

Design and development

The Aristocraft II was a redesigned aircraft built off the prototype airframe of the WACO Aristocraft. The Franklin-powered Aristocraft pusher was rebuilt using the wings and most of the internal structure of the original. The layout was drastically changed from a twin-tailed, mid-engined, pusher to a conventional tractor arrangement. The intent was to develop a homebuilt aircraft from the design with the flexibility to carry six passengers, or fewer people with extended range.[3][4] A effort was made to certify the design, under the name Model W Winner but money ran out before completion, with only two orders.

The Aristocraft II was a strut-braced, high-wing, tricycle gear, six-passenger aircraft designed for Franklin or Lycoming 200 hp (149 kW) engines.[5] The fuselage was made of welded steel tubing with aluminum skin. The cowling was split vertically, and could hinge open for maintenance.[6]

Variants

The standard engine was a six-cylinder Lycoming, however plans were drawn for a 245 hp (183 kW) Jacobs L-4MB radial engine installation and also for a Continental R-670 radial installation. This specified that the engine would be mounted closer to the firewall and also incorporated conventional landing gear, a 93 in (236 cm) propeller and the outward appearance of "Mr. Muligan", this evolved into the O'Neill Magnum.[7]

Specifications (Arisocraft II)

Data from Sport Aviation, Air Trails Summer 1971

General characteristics

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. "Magnum, AMATEUR BUILT, BEAVER-TYPE". Sport Aviation: 17. March 1984.
  2. Air Trails: 76. December 1971. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. "Aristorcraft II". Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  4. Don Dwiggins. Build your own sport plane: with homebuilt aircraft directory. p. 102.
  5. Sport Aviation: 30. December 1970. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. Sport Aviation: 13. October 1968. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. "Maganum". Sport Aviation. March 1984.