Alexander Bullet

Alexander Bullet
Role Cabin monoplane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Alexander Aircraft Company
Designer Albert Mooney
First flight February 1929
Introduction 1929
Number built 11
Unit cost
C1 $8,888 C3 $6,666 in 1929

The Alexander Bullet or Alexander Eaglerock Bullet was a low wing cabin monoplane that was a departure from traditional biplane aircraft of the era.

Design and development

The Bullet was built at the beginning of the Great Depression. Company owner J Don Alexander said he was inspired by ducks tucking in their legs to build a retractable landing gear-equipped aircraft.[1] The aircraft experienced stability problems in spin testing, killing two pilots.[2] Few orders were delivered.[3]

The Bullet was a low wing, cabin aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear.[4] The fuselage was constructed with welded steel tubing and the wings were constructed with wooden spars and ribs, both with aircraft fabric covering.[5]

Operational history

An Alexander Bullet competed in the 1929 National Air Races.[6] Female pilot Jessie "Chubbie" Keith-Miller won two transcontinental air races piloting an Alexander Bullet.[7]

Variants

C1 Bullet
Powered by a Wright J-6 Whirlwind
C3 Bullet
Powered by a Kinner K-5
C7 Bullet
Aerodynamically improved - ATC#318 issued on 6 May 1930.[8]

Specifications (C-7 Bullet)

Alexander Eaglerock C-3 Bullet 3-view drawing from Aero Digest May 1929

Data from American Airplane Specifications[9]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 3 passengers
  • Length: 26 ft 10 in (8.18 m)
  • Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m)
  • Height: 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m)
  • Wing area: 208 sq ft (19.3 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,720 lb (780 kg)
  • Gross weight: 2,780 lb (1,261 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 44 US gal (170 l; 37 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Wright J-6 Whirlwind 7-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 165 hp (123 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 148 mph (238 km/h; 129 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 122 mph (196 km/h; 106 kn)
  • Stall speed: 45 mph (72 km/h; 39 kn)
  • Range: 560 mi (487 nmi; 901 km)
  • Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5,200 m)
  • Rate of climb: 700 ft/min (3.6 m/s)

References

  1. Denver Posse. The Denver Westerners brand book. p. 246.
  2. Terry Gwynn-Jones. The air racers: aviation's golden era, 1909-1936. p. 185.
  3. Donald M. Pattillo. A History in the Making: 80 Turbulent Years in the American General Aviation Industry. p. 8.
  4. "none". Flying Magazine: 108. August 1985.
  5. "none". Aeronautics: 28. September 1929.
  6. Joseph P. Juptner. U.S. Civil Aircraft Series, Volume 8. p. 64.
  7. Colin Evans. A Question of Evidence: The Casebook of Great Forensic Controversies. p. 62.
  8. Joseph P. Juptner. U.S. civil aircraft, Volume 4. p. 65.
  9. Aviation July 1931, pp. 428, 431.
  • Miller, Ralph N. (January 1939). "Remember the Bullet?". Popular Aviation. Vol. XXIV no. 1. pp. 33, 76–78.
  • "Table 2: American Airplane Specifications: Passenger Planes With Seats For More Than Three Persons". Aviation. Vol. 30 no. 7. July 1931. pp. 428, 431. (Registration required (help)).
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