Towle WC

The Towle WC, aka Towle TA-1, was a custom built aircraft for a 1929 round-the world flight.

Design and development

Thomas Towle was an engineer who had been involved with many early aircraft designs. Having just co-designed the Eastman-E2 Sea Rover, Towle was commissioned by Henry McCarroll to promote Detroit's aviation production capabilities.^[1]

The WC was a flying boat with an aluminum hull. The strut braced parasol wing was fabric covered.^[2][3]

Operational history

The prototype WC flew as far as Brazil before engine reliability issues forced the cancellation of the round-the-world flight attempt.^[4]

Variants

• Towle TA-2 Was built as a successor to the WC model

Specifications (Towle WC)

Data from Flight

General characteristics

• Capacity: 4
• Length: 35 ft (11 m)
• Wingspan: 52 ft (16 m)
• Empty weight: 2,750 lb (1,247 kg)
• Gross weight: 4,420 lb (2,005 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Comet R-612 Seven cylinder radial, 150 hp (110 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 100 kn; 185 km/h (115 mph)
• Minimum control speed: 39 kn; 72 km/h (45 mph)

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Fairchild FB-3

References