Name that Flying Machine
Going back to the Kinner Playboy, it is clear that a lot of effort was put into streamlining and drag reduction. I often wonder why the designer just didn't build a cantilever wing and get rid of all those wires. Was the weight penalty too much?
The arrangement is very much like the Boeing P-26; a braced monoplane with heavy emphasis on streamlining. I have seen it a lot and assume it's just the natural evolution from biplane to fully cantilevered metal monoplane. Possibly more about confidence of the designer and confidence of the owner/passenger than anything else? It does remind me of chicken rivets on composite structure, so again there isn't anything new under the sun...
Pypard,
As you said, probably natural evolution in design ideas and confidence. Some designers were obviously evolving their thinking faster than others. Only three years after the Playboy’s first flight in 1933, the 200 mph Spartan Executive flew:
As you said, probably natural evolution in design ideas and confidence. Some designers were obviously evolving their thinking faster than others. Only three years after the Playboy’s first flight in 1933, the 200 mph Spartan Executive flew:
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It is indeed a 6cyl German engine. Water cooled as you may have seen from the underslung radiator. It is not a German aircraft though and it is post WW1. Been very quiet on this challenge and I was going to post further clues shortly. But I will let you and others ponder things for a little longer.
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Further clue required I think. This aircraft was the only example of the type and AKAIK it only flew once, with the designer/builder at the controls. I've flown some types with poor visibility but I wouldn't fancy that one.