Wing Derringer

D-1 Derringer
Wing D-1 Derringer at Lakeland, Florida in April 2009
Role Light twin-engined touring monoplane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Wing Aircraft
Designer John Thorp
First flight 1 May 1962
Number built 12

The Wing D-1 Derringer is an American light twin-engined two-seat monoplane tourer designed by John Thorp and developed by the Hi-Shear Corporation and built by the Wing Aircraft Company.

Development

The D-1 Derringer light twin design was originally designed in 1958 by John Thorp as the Thorp T-17 a twin-engined development of his Thorp T-11 Sky Scooter. The design was taken over by George Wing of the Hi-Shear Corporation. The Derringer is a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear. It had room for two in an enclosed cockpit with an unusual up and backward opening canopy. It was powered by two 100 hp Continental O-200 engines, one mounted on the leading edge of each wing.[1] The prototype aircraft (registered N3621G) first flew on May 1, 1962[2] at Torrance. A second prototype flew in November 1964 but crashed a few weeks later due to an in-flight airframe failure.[3] A static test aircraft and two more aircraft were built for testing which resulted in the award of a type certificate on December 20, 1966.[2] The aircraft did not go into production due to internal problems within the Hi-Shear Corporation.

The Derringer used manufacturing techniques that were considered new at the time it was developed. Butt-joined, flush-riveted, chemically-milled and stretched skins are used throughout the airframe.

Development of a two-seat Coin/military trainer version designated Wing D-2M Derringer was begun[4] but failed to develop further than the design stage.

In 1978 George Wing left Hi-Shear and started the Wing Aircraft Company.[4] The company built one-pre-production aircraft followed by six production aircraft, entering bankruptcy in July 1982, after which only one further aircraft was built before seven unfinished airframes were sold.

Nine D-1 aircraft were on the U.S. civil aircraft register in May 2009.

Specifications (D-1)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1980-81 [5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 23 ft 0 in (7.01 m)
  • Wingspan: 29 ft 2 in (8.89 m)
D-2M: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 0 in (2.44 m)
  • Wing area: 121.0 sq ft (11.24 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 7
  • Empty weight: 2,099 lb (952 kg)
D-2M: 2,350 lb (1,065.9 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,049 lb (1,383 kg)
D-2M: maximum standard: 3,600 lb (1,632.9 kg)
D-2M: maximum overload: 3,900 lb (1,769.0 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: fuel:88 US gal (333.1 l; 73.3 imp gal), oil:4 US gal (15.1 l; 3.3 imp gal)
D-2M: 119.9 US gal (453.9 l; 99.8 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Avco Lycoming IO-320-B1C (or -C1A) 4-cyl air-cooled horizontally opposed piston engines, 160 hp (119 kW) each
D-2M: 2x Avco Lycoming IO-360-A1B 4-cyl air-cooled horizontally opposed piston engines 200 hp (150 kW) each
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Hartzell HC-C2YL/8450-18, 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) diameter constant speed fully feathering propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 201 kn (231 mph; 372 km/h) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 190 kn (219 mph; 352 km/h) maximum: 75% power at 3,050 m (10,010 ft)
  • Economical cruising speed: 182 kn (337 km/h; 209 mph) at 65% power at 3,050 m (10,010 ft)
  • Approach speed: 82.5 kn (152.8 km/h; 94.9 mph)
  • Stall speed: 69.5 kn (80 mph; 129 km/h) gear & flaps up, 63 kn (117 km/h; 72 mph) gear & flaps down
  • Range: 544 nmi; 626 mi (1,007 km) at economical cruising speed
  • Endurance: 5 hours 30 minutes at economical cruising speed
  • Service ceiling: 19,603 ft (5,975 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,700 ft/min (8.6 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 28.46 lb/sq ft (138.95 kg/m2)
  • Power/mass: 0.168 kW/kg (0.103 hp/lb)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. ↑ "The Loaners". Flying: 51. May 1976.
  2. 1 2 J W R Taylor 1982, p. 486.
  3. ↑ AAHS Journal: 73. Spring 2004. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. 1 2 J W R Taylor 1982, p. 487.
  5. ↑ J W R Taylor 1980, p.454.
  • Simpson, R. W. (1991). Airlife's General Aviation. , England: Airlife Publishing. p. 366. ISBN 1-85310-194-X.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1980). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1980-81. London: Jane's. ISBN 0-7106-0705-9.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1982). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
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