Pitcairn_PA-2_Sesquiwing Knowpia

Pitcairn PA-2 Sesquiwing
	Model of a 1926 PA-2 on display at the EAA Airventure Museum
Role	Biplane
National origin	United States of America
Manufacturer	Pitcairn Aircraft Company
Designer	Agnew E. Larson
First flight	1926
Introduction	1926

The Pitcairn PA-2 Sesquiwing "Arrow" is an early biplane designed for air racing and commercial airmail service.^[1]

Design edit

The Sesquiwing featured a quick change motor mount to accommodate a Curtiss C-6 or Curtiss OX-5 engine, and wheel fairings for speed.^[2]

Operational history edit

A specially built PA-2 was flown by Jim Ray in the 1926 Ford National Reliability Air Tour. It placed second in a race for engines under 800 cubic inches displacement, then it had its engine swapped to an OX-5 for a race the next day, and again back to a Curtiss C-6 engine the next day to win the Detroit race.^[3]

Specifications (Pitcairn PA-2 Sesquiwing - C-6 engine) edit

Pitcairn PA-2 Sesquiwing with OX-5 motor. 3-view drawing from Le Document aéronautique February,1927

Data from The Pitcairn Sesqui-Wing^[4]

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Capacity: 2 passengers
Length: 22 ft 6 in (6.86 m)
Upper wingspan: 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m)
Lower wingspan: 24 ft 8+1⁄2 in (7.531 m)
Height: 8 ft 4 in (2.54 m)
Wing area: 219.8 sq ft (20.42 m²)
Empty weight: 1,492 lb (677 kg)
Gross weight: 2,246 lb (1,019 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Curtiss C-6 , 160 hp (120 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 145 mph (233 km/h, 126 kn)
Cruise speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn)
Stall speed: 60 mph (97 km/h, 52 kn)
Range: 360 mi (580 km, 310 nmi)
Endurance: 3 hr
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)

References edit

Notes edit

^ Frank Kingston Smith. Legacy of wings: the story of Harold F. Pitcairn.
^ Frank Kingston Smith. Legacy of wings: the story of Harold F. Pitcairn.
^ William F. Trimble (1982). High frontier: a history of aeronautics in Pennsylvania. ISBN 9780822953401.
^ Aviation November 8, 1926, pp. 802–804.