Loose Special

Loose Special
Loose Special
General information
Type	Racing aircraft
National origin	America
Designer	Chet Loose
Number built	1
History
Introduction date	1933

The Loose Special, also called the Townsend A-1 Special, the Loose-Siem Special and the Townsend Special is a small air racer developed for the Thompson Trophy races.

Design

The Loose Special is a small single seat racer with conventional landing gear and a cable-braced mid-wing. The engine was replaced with an 85 hp (63 kW) Continental to compete in the Formula One air races.

Operational history

The Loose Special participated in 1933, 1935 and 1938 air races. In the 1948 Goodyear Formula One Air Races pilot Earl Ortman placed fourth at a speed of 127.339 mph (205 km/h).

Specifications (Loose Siem Special)

Data from Skyways, Flying

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 13 ft (4.0 m)
Wingspan: 19 ft (5.8 m)
Empty weight: 530 lb (240 kg)
Gross weight: 800 lb (363 kg)
Propellers: 2-bladed McCaulley

Performance

Maximum speed: 134 kn (154 mph, 248 km/h)
Stall speed: 70 kn (80 mph, 130 km/h)
Endurance: 3 hr
Rate of climb: 2,000 ft/min (10 m/s)
Wing loading: 11 lb/sq ft (54 kg/m²)

References

↑ "Loose Special". Retrieved 17 November 2011.
↑ "Clarance Ace Bragunier". Retrieved 17 November 2011.
↑ Skyways. October 2001. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
↑ Flying Magazine. December 1947. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
↑ "Thompson Faq" (PDF). Retrieved 17 November 2011.
↑ "Earl Ortman". Retrieved 17 November 2011.

External links

Image of the Loose Special

[1] "Loose Special". Retrieved 17 November 2011.

[2] "Clarance Ace Bragunier". Retrieved 17 November 2011.

[3] Skyways. October 2001. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

[4] Flying Magazine. December 1947. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

[5] "Thompson Faq" (PDF). Retrieved 17 November 2011.

[6] "Earl Ortman". Retrieved 17 November 2011.