The Towle TA-3 was an amphibious aircraft based on the Towle TA-2.
| TA-3 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Amphibious aircraft |
| National origin | United States of America |
| Manufacturer | Towle Aircraft Company |
| Designer | Thomas Towle |
| First flight | May 1930 |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from | Towle TA-2 |
Development
editThomas Towle was an engineer that had been involved with many early aircraft designs. Having just co-designed the Eastman E-2 Sea Rover. The TA-3 was a six-seat follow-on to the Towle TA-2 which crashed on its first flight. The wing from the TA-2 prototype was salvaged and reused on the TA-3.
Design
editThe TA-3 featured two diesel radial engines on tall struts above the wings. Diesel engines were relatively new and were touted as being safer because they used a less volatile fuel than gasoline. The engines were provided on loan from the Packard Motor Car Company.[1] The salvaged all-metal wing featured internal bracing based on the Ford Trimotor design that Towle had worked on previously. The tail used two rudders placed in the slipstream of the engines.[2]
Operational history
editThe prototype was built at Grosse Ile Municipal Airport and first flew in May 1930 piloted by George Pond.[2] The prototype was leased to Kohler Airlines for two years before being flipped in a gear-down water landing in 1932. The aircraft was later sold and used in running liquor from the Bahamas to Florida during prohibition until it was destroyed in a storm at Bimini Island.[3]
Specifications (Towle TA-3)
editData from Michigan Aircraft Manufacturers,[3] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1931[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 8 pax
- Length: 43 ft (13 m)
- Wingspan: 56 ft (17 m)
- Height: 13 ft (4.0 m)
- Wing area: 400 sq ft (37 m2)
- Empty weight: 3,943 lb (1,789 kg)
- Gross weight: 6,200 lb (2,812 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Packard DR-980 Radial, 225 hp (168 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn)
- Cruise speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)
- Range: 500 mi (800 km, 430 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5,200 m)
- Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
- Wing loading: 15.28 lb/sq ft (74.6 kg/m2)
- Power/mass: 13.2 lb/hp (8.0 kg/kW)
References
edit- ^ ROBERT B. MEYER (1964). The First Airplane Diesel Engine: Packard Model DR-980 of 1928. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION • NATIONAL AIR MUSEUM WASHINGTON, D.C.
- ^ a b E. R. Johnson. American flying boats and amphibious aircraft: an illustrated history. p. 324.
- ^ a b Pauley, Robert F. (2009). MICHIGAN AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS. South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738552187.
- ^ Grey, C.G., ed. (1931). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1931. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. p. 324c.
External links
editImages of the Towle TA-3:-