Fairchild F-46
| Model 46 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Fairchild F-46 | |
| Role | Light aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Fairchild Aircraft, Duramold Aircraft Corporation, Clark Corporation, Fairchild Airplane Investments Corporation and Molded Aircraft Corporation[1] |
| Designer | Virginius E. Clark |
| First flight | 12 May 1937 |
| Number built | 1 |
|
| |
The Fairchild F-46, also known as the Duramold Aircraft Corporation F-46 A, is a light aircraft that was built using the Duramold process, later used on the Spruce Goose.
Development
The F-46 was the first successful aircraft to use molded plywood.[2] The process was developed jointly by the Haskelite Manufacturing Corporation as Plymold and the Fairchild Engine and Aircraft Corporation as Duramold.[3] The plywood employed heat, pressure, plastics and wood to make complex structures in less time than could be done with aluminum construction. The Haskelite Corporation used this plywood for railway cars, buses, automobiles, and boats. Fairchild created its own use of the technology for making airplane structures.[4]
Design
The Model 46 is a low-wing, cabin aircraft, with conventional landing gear and structures made using Duramold processes. The fuselage is constructed of two halves bonded together. The wings use wooden spars with plywood covering. The control surfaces use aluminum frames with aircraft fabric covering. A 50 U.S. gallons (190 L; 42 imp gal) fuel tank was mounted in each wing.
Operational history
In 1947 the Model 46 prototype was re-engined with a Pratt & Whitney R-985 and flown for ten years.[5]
Specifications (Fairchild 46)
Data from FAA TCDS
General characteristics
- Capacity: 5
- Max takeoff weight: 4,800 lb (2,177 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 100 U.S. gallons (380 L; 83 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Ranger SGV-770B-5 , 420 hp (310 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 178 kn; 330 km/h (205 mph)
- Never exceed speed: 217 kn; 402 km/h (250 mph)
Avionics
- Transmitter (Lear UT4)
- Transmitter (Lear UT6)
- Receiver (Lear R3)
- Compass (Fairchild)
- Fixed antenna (transmitter)
- Fixed antenna (compass)
- Motoreel, Receiver (RCA AVR-7 series)
- Transmitter (RCAAVT-7, -12, -12A)
- Dynamotor (RCA)
- Compass (RCA)
See also
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fairchild F-46. |
- Related development
- Spruce Goose made with the Duramold process
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
- ↑ "F-46". Retrieved 9 February 2012.
- ↑ "Ludington is Birthplace of Plywood Airplanes". Daily News. Ludington, Michigan. July 15, 1943 – via Newspapers.com
. - ↑ "New Plastic Material Solves Plane Problem". Daily Capital Journal. Salem, Oregon. January 21, 1939 – via Newspapers.com .
- ↑ Frank Woodring, Suanne Woodring. Fairchild Aircraft.
- ↑ "Fairchild F 46". Retrieved 9 February 2012.