- Bowlus SP-1 Paper Wing
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SP-1 Paper Wing 
Anne Morrow Lindbergh flying the Bowlus SP-1 Paper Wing on launch Role Glider National origin United States Designer William Hawley Bowlus First flight 1929 Status Sole example no longer exists Number built One The Bowlus SP-1 Paper Wing was an American parasol-wing, single-seat, glider that was designed and constructed by William Hawley Bowlus, first flying in 1929.[1]
Contents
Design and development
The SP-1 was named the "Paper Wing" because its wing rib webs were fabricated from paper. Otherwise the aircraft was predominantly wood and doped aircraft fabric.[1]
The aircraft originally had 44 ft (13.4 m) span wing with a USA 35-A airfoil. The wingspan was later increased to 47 ft (14.3 m), mostly by increasing the size of the ailerons. The aircraft achieved a very low empty weight for its size of 160 lb (72.6 kg) and a matching low wing loading as well.[1][2]
Operational history
Charles Lindbergh readying to fly the Bowlus SP-1 Paper Wing
The SP-1 was the first American-built glider to fly for over a hour.[1] The SP-1 was flown by both Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh.
Variants
A copy of the SP-1, called the Nighthawk, was flown by William A. Cocke to a world endurance record of 21:34 in 1931. This glider is in the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica, California.[1]
Aircraft on display
- San Diego Air & Space Museum - SP-1 replica[1][3]
- Museum of Flying - Nighthawk[1]
Specifications (SP-1)
Data from Sailplane Directory[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 44 ft (13 m)
- Wing area: 179 sq ft (16.6 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 11:1
- Empty weight: 160 lb (73 kg)
- Gross weight: 305 lb (138 kg)
Performance
- Maximum glide ratio: 20:1
- Wing loading: 1.7 lb/sq ft (8.3 kg/m²)
See also
- Related lists
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Activate Media (2006). "Paper Wing SP-1 Bowlus". http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?planeID=254. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". http://www.ae.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/aircraft.html. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
- ^ San Diego Air & Space Museum (2011). "Museum Map". http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/exhibits/map.php. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
William Hawley Bowlus aircraft designs Aircraft 1912 glider · Super Sailplane · Albatross 1 · Albatross 2 · BA-100 Baby Albatross · BA-102 Two-Place Baby Albatross · Dragonfly · BS-100 Super Albatross · SP-1 Paper Wing · 1-S-2100 Senior AlbatrossCompanies Lists relating to aviation General Aircraft (manufacturers) · Aircraft engines (manufacturers) · Airlines (defunct) · Airports · Civil authorities · Museums · Registration prefixes · Rotorcraft (manufacturers) · TimelineMilitary Accidents/incidents Records Categories:- United States sailplanes 1920–1929
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