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Ellingston Special

Ellingston Special
Ellingston retractable wing monoplane
Role Experimental aircraft
National origin United States
Designer Cornwallis "Con" Ellingston
First flight April 23, 1938
Number built 1

The Ellingston Special was a variable-geometry aircraft, designed by Cornwallis "Con" Ellingston of Great Falls, Montana in the late 1930s.

Background

Ellingston, together with Earle Hansen, constructed the aircraft, with Hansen making the maiden flight on April 23, 1938.[1] It was a single-seat low-wing monoplane, fitted with a retractable undercarriage, and was powered by a 70 hp (52 kW) LeBlond 90-7D radial engine, fitted with a two-bladed tractor propeller.[1][2][3] The primary structure was constructed from 4130 chromoly steel tubing.[2]

The aircraft's most notable feature was its telescopic wings, which could vary in span between 25 ft (7.6 m) and 32 ft (9.8 m), with it being possible to vary the wingspan while in flight. The maximum speed of the aircraft varied from 165 mph (266 km/h) with the wings retracted, to 110 mph (180 km/h) with the wings extended.[3]

An article in the December 1939 issue of Popular Aviation magazine stated that Ellingston was working on a twin-engined transport aircraft, which would also incorporate variable span, construction of which was scheduled to begin that Winter.[3]

Specifications (Special)

Data from Popular Aviation[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Wingspan: 25 ft (7.6 m) (wings retracted)
    32 ft (9.8 m) (wings extended)
  • Airfoil: Clark Y
  • Powerplant: 1 × LeBlond 90-7D air-cool radial piston, 90 hp (67 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 165 mph (266 km/h, 143 kn) (wings retracted) 110 mph (180 km/h) (wings extended)
  • Stall speed: 65 mph (105 km/h, 56 kn) (wings retracted) 40 mph (64 km/h) (wings extended)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ^ a b Powell, Ferrell F. (March 1996). "Mystery Plane". Vintage Airplane. Vol. 24, no. 3. Oshkosh, WI: Experimental Aircraft Association. pp. 26–27.
  2. ^ a b "Con Ellingston Special". Aviation. Vol. 37, no. 11. New York City, USA: McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, Inc. November 1938. p. 45 – via Archive.org.
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