The Fleet 50 Freighter was a twin-engine biplane Canadian general utility aircraft designed and built by Fleet Aircraft. Design was started in 1936 to create a general purpose twin-engined utility aircraft for the Canadian market. It was designed as a short take-off freighter with features added to ease cargo handling. The Freighter was a biplane with the lower wing an inverted gull wing with either a float or wheel landing gear. Two radial piston engines were mounted in nacelles on the upper wing panels.
The fuselage structure was welded steel tubing with duralumin formers, and a semi-monocoque duralumin nose section. The wings were stressed-skin metal structure on the inboard panels and fabric-covered wood beams and duralumin ribs on the outboard panels. The fuselage had room for two crew and up to ten passengers. Large doors and a roof-mounted chain hoist were fitted for use in the cargo role.
The prototype designated the 50J first flew on 22 February 1938, powered by two 285 hp (213 kW) Jacobs L-5MB 7-cylinder radial engines. It was later re-engined with 330 hp Jacobs L-6MB engines and re-designated the 50K. A further four aircraft were built, all with L-6MB engines.
None of the aircraft was operated for long, as the design was under-powered and could not maintain altitude on only one engine.
Fleet 50K landplane Engines: 2 × Jacobs L-6MB 7-cylinder radial engine, 330 hp (246 kW) each Length: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m) Wingspan: 45 ft 0 in (13.72 m) Height: 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m) Wing area: 528 ft² (49.05 m²) Empty weight: 4600 lb (2087 kg) Gross weight: 8326 lb (3777 kg) Maximum speed: 150 mph (241 km/h) Range: 650 miles (1046 km) Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4570 m) Crew: 2 Capacity: 10 passengers or freight
Fleet Aircraft Company built eleven Consolidated Model 21 aeroplanes for its parent company, Consolidated, in 1936 and 1937. Ten of these were exported to Mexico as basic trainers for the Mexican Air Force. The eleventh was produced in 1937 as a demonstrator for Fleet, which tried to interest the RCAF in this large biplane. Unfortunately, the days of the biplane were already numbered, and monoplanes were emerging from the world’s aircraft factories in greater quantities. Originally built as the Model 21M with a Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Jr. engine, some were converted to a Model K with the Jacobs L-6MB engine.
The Fleet Model 14 was a Model 2 modified for participation in Guggenheim Safe Aircraft Competition but disqualified. Around 300 were licence-built in Romania by IAR.
The Fleet 7 flew first in 1930, a total of 374 were built, including the Fleet 10 designed for the European market.
Forty-eight of the Fleet Model 7 version with Kinner B-5 engine were built, plus several converted from Model 2 by Fleet in Canada.
Fleet 7A
The Fleet Model 7B was a Canadian production version, as were the Fleet Model 7C with Armstrong Siddeley Civet engine and Fleet Model 7G with de Havilland Gipsy III engine.
One Model 7 with 100-hp Kinner R-370-1 (Kinner K5) engine was acquired by the US Army Air Corps for service tests as XPT-6. Ten YPT-6 followed, similar to the XPT-6, used by the US Army Air Corps for service tests and evaluation. The YPT-6A was a modified version of the Model 7 fitted with an enlarged cockpit. Used by the US Army Air Corps for service tests and evaluation.
Fleet F.7C Trainer
The Fleet F.7C Trainer was built in 1937.
The Fleet Model 8 was a three-seat version similar to Model 7 (seven built), and Fleet Model 9 was a refined version of the Model 8 (12 built).
Fleet 8
The Fleet Model 10 was a refined version of the Model 7 for export to Europe, replaced the 1928-origin “looped” landing gear radius rod of the Models 2 & 7 for their left mainwheel with a center-hinged design for both mainwheels, using a V-form transverse cabane strut to provide the hinge-point.
The Model 10A version had a 100 hp Kinner engine, Model 10B with 125 hp Kinner engine, and Model 10D a 160 hp Kinner engine. The Model 10-32D was generally similar to the Model 10D, but with an increased 4-ft 0-in (1.22-m) wingspan.
The Fleet Model 10E version was powered with a 125 hp Warner engine and Model 10F with a 145 hp Warner engine.
The Fleet Model 10G was built for the governments of Portugal and Romania, with about 70 built in Romania by ICAR as Fleet-IAR 10, sometimes listed simply as IAR-10, all powered with a de Havilland Gypsy Major engine.
The Fleet Model 10H was powered with a Menasco C-4S engine, and Fleet Model 11 with a Kinner R-5 engine. Some Model 11 were exported to Argentina, China and Mexico.
The Fleet Model 16, or Fleet Finch, was a strengthened Canadian production version with sliding canopy, powered by a 130 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major engine, about 600 were built. The Fleet Model 16B, or Fleet Finch Mk II, was a strengthened Canadian production version, powered by a Kinner B5 engine. The Model 16D was similar to the Model 16B, but fitted with a Kinner B5 engine.
The Fleet Model 16R, or Fleet Finch Mk I, was the designation of the Fleet 16D built in Canada for the RCAF.
Finch 16B
The Fleet 16B Finch II is a progressive development of the original Consolidated Fleet primary trainer, manufacture of which was commenced in Canada by Fleet Aircraft in 1930. The Fleet Finch Model 16 was developed specifically for the RCAF. In 1938 Fleet Aricraft was exporting Model 10s, when the RCAF examined a 10D for possible use as a primary trainer. The Air Force needed an aeroplane that could perform aerobatics with full military equipment; therefore, numerous modifications were made, and the aircraft built for the RCAF were designated Model 16s. The first Finch 16B for the RCAF flew in March 1940. The Fleet 16 first entered RCAF service with tandem open cockpits, but the severity of the Canadian winter necessitated the introduction of a sliding canopy at an early stage in the trainer’s service career.
The Fleet Model 16, or Fleet Finch, was a strengthened Canadian production version with sliding canopy, powered by a 130 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major engine, about 600 were built. The Fleet Model 16B, or Fleet Finch Mk II, was a strengthened Canadian production version, powered by a Kinner B5 engine. The Model 16D was similar to the Model 16B, but fitted with a Kinner B5 engine.
The Fleet Model 16R, or Fleet Finch Mk I, was the designation of the Fleet 16D built in Canada for the RCAF.
Fleet 16B
A total of 437 Fleet Finches were produced as Model 16s, the majority (430) for the RCAF. They were used as initial trainers in the BCATP at twelve EFTS’s across Canada in parallel with the Tiger Moth. They were replaced eventually by Fairchld PT-26 Cornells, and the last of the Model 16s stayed on RCAF inventory until 1947.
Fleet 16B
The Canadian manufacturing was a great success, with some 600 examples built for the Royal Canadian Air Force as the Fleet Fawn (Model 7) and Fleet Finch (Model 16).
United States manufacturing rights were eventually sold to Brewster Aeronautical Corporation, which intended to produce the Brewster B-1 based on the Canadian Model 16F prototype, built for Brewster.
Fleet Model 7 Engine: Kinner B-5 48 built, plus several converted from Model 2 by Fleet in Canada
Fleet Model 7A Engine: 125 hp Kinner B-5 or 100 hp Kinner K-5 Wingspan: 28 ft Wing area: 194 sq.ft Length: 21 ft 6 in Height: 7 ft 11.5 in Max speed: 115 mph Cruise: 90 mph ROC: 730 fpm Ceiling: 16,000 ft
Fleet Model 7B
Fleet F.7C Engine: Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major, 135 hp
Fleet Model 7G Engine: de Havilland Gipsy III
XPT-6 One Model 7 for US Army Air Corps for service tests. Engine: 100-hp Kinner R-370-1 (Kinner K5)
YPT-6 ten built
YPT-6A Model 7 fitted with enlarged cockpit.
Fleet Model 8 seven built Seats: 3
Fleet Model 9 12 built
Fleet Model 10
Fleet Model 10A Engine: 100 hp Kinner
Fleet Model 10B Engine: 125 hp Kinner
Fleet F 10 D Engine: Kinner K 5 radial, 160 hp
Fleet Model 10-32D increased 4-ft 0-in (1.22-m) wingspan
Fleet Model 10E Engine: 125 hp Warner
Fleet Model 10F Engine: 145 hp Warner
Fleet Model 10G Engine: de Havilland Gypsy Major
Fleet Model 10H Engine: Menasco C-4S
Fleet Model 11 Engine: Kinner R-5
Fleet Model 16 / Fleet Finch Engine: 130 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major
Fleet 16B Finch Mk II Engine: Kinner B-5 five cylinder radial, 125 hp Maximum speed: 113 mph Empty weight: 1,102 lb (500 kg) Loaded weight: 1,860 lb (844 kg) Span: 28 ft (8.5 m) Length: 21 ft 8 in (6.6 m) Height: 7 ft 9 in (2.4 m) Wing area: 194 sq ft (18 sq m) Seats: 2
Fleet Model 16D Engine: Kinner B5
Fleet Model 16F prototype for Brewster B-1
Fleet Model 16R / Fleet Finch Mk I Fleet 16D built in Canada for the RCAF
The Fleet Model 1 (originally the Consolidated 14 Husky Junior) and its derivatives were all orthodox two-seat trainer and sports biplanes with staggered, single-bay wings of equal span and fixed tailskid undercarriage. Accommodation was provided for two in tandem, originally sharing a single open cockpit, but in most examples in separate open cockpits. The fuselage was made of welded steel tube with triangular-layout Warren truss construction pattern side structures typical of the time, and the wings had a wooden spar with duralumin ribs, the entire aircraft being fabric-covered. They all shared the same basic design and varied mainly in their powerplants. Despite a superficial resemblance to Consolidated’s highly successful Trusty and Husky designs (hence the “Husky Junior” nickname), the Model 14 was an all-new design.
Originally designed by Reuben Fleet and created as a means for Consolidated to enter the civil market, the company abandoned this ambition shortly before the completion of the first prototype. The manufacturing rights were purchased by the designer and Consolidated company president Reuben Fleet to put into production under his new enterprise, Fleet Aircraft. Around five of the Consolidated Model 14 Husky Junior prototypes were built.
First flown on 9 November 1928, it was an immediate success, and in the first year of production alone, over 300 machines were sold. About 90 of the Fleet Model 1 initial production version with Warner Scarab engine were built.
Consolidated responded by buying Fleet Aircraft and retaining it as a subsidiary while opening a second production line at Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada.
Two hundred and three of the Fleet Model 2 initial production version with Kinner K-5 engine were built. The USAAC purchased 16 Model 2 as the PT-16 for evaluation.
Fleet 2 N748V
One initial prototype aircraft and six subsequent specialised production N2Y trainers were purchased by the United States Navy. These N2Y-1 aircraft were equipped with hooks to catch the trapeze on two U.S. Navy airships, the USS Akron and the USS Macon. The N2Y-1 parasite aircraft were used to train pilots that would subsequently fly the longer distance single-seat F9C Sparrowhawks reconnaissance aircraft. The two-seater N2Y-1 also acted as service aircraft, flying passengers to the inroute airships.
On July 6, 1930, future air racer and movie stunt pilot Paul Mantz flew a Fleet Model 2 biplane through 46 consecutive outside loops, an international record which stood for almost 50 years.
One Model 2 was converted to the Fleet Model 3 with a Wright J-6 engine. One Fleet Model 4 was built with a Curtiss Challenger engine, and one Fleet Model 5 version with a Brownback C-400 engine was built.
United States manufacturing rights were eventually sold to Brewster Aeronautical Corporation, which intended to produce the Brewster B-1 based on the Canadian Model 16F.
Fleet Model 1 Engine: Warner Scarab No built: ca. 90
Fleet Model 2 / PT-6 Engine: Kinner K-5, 110 hp (82 kW) Wingspan: 28 ft 0 in (8.53 m) Wing area: 195 sq ft (18.1 sq.m) Length: 20 ft 9 in (6.32 m) Height: 7 ft 10 in (2.39 m) Empty weight: 1,063 lb (482 kg) Gross weight: 1,820 lb (826 kg) Fuel capacity: 55 US gal (46 imp gal; 210 L) Maximum speed: 113.5 mph (183 km/h; 99 kn) Cruise speed: 88 mph (142 km/h; 76 kn) Service ceiling: 12,200 ft (3,700 m) Rate of climb: 730 ft/min (3.7 m/s) Crew: 2 No built: 203 (16 as PT-6, 6 as N2Y-1)
Fleet Model 3 Engine: Wright J-6 one converted from Model 2
Fleet Model 4 Engine: Curtiss Challenger one built
The F.2 was a single-seat monoplane, flown August 1911 then altered to two-seater as F.3. As the two-seater F.3, Fisher and a passenger lost his life on 15 May 1912.
A conventional monoplane, built by L. Howard Flanders Ltd, Richmond, Surrey. It was equipped with a 60 hp Green engine and flew for the first time by E.V.B. Fisher on 31 July 1911.
A single-seat monoplane, flown August 1911 then altered to two-seater as F.3.
The Smaragd / Emerald is a conventional low-wing aircraft with classical tail unit and tricycle landing gear, built from glass and carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The seats are next to each other arranged and adjustable. Behind the seats are the very roomy baggage compartment and the evacuation equipment. The wing anchorage is solved over interlinking cross-beam roots and a main pin as with modern Seglern, which permits an extremely simple disassembly. The main landing gear consists of rocker with hydraulically braked wheels of GRP kevlar. The tanks are arranged in the wing; 55 and/or 110 litres were available.
The Smaragd had it’s maiden flight on March 22nd, 2003 and was licensed on December 29th, 2003.
Emerald
The aircraft was designed and produced by Flaeming Air of Zehlendorf, Brandenburg, to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules and US light-sport aircraft rules, with different models for each category. It features a cantilever low-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, fixed tricycle landing gear, or optionally conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.
FA 04 Peregrine
The aircraft is made from composites, with its fuselage, wing spars, flaps and rudder made from carbon fibre. Its 10.05 m (33.0 ft) span wing has an area of 9.27 m2 (99.8 sq ft). The standard engines available are the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS, 120 hp (89 kW) Jabiru 3300 and the 100 hp (75 kW) Continental O-200 powerplants.
The Peregrine is the LSA version of the Smaragd, allowing a 600 kg max take-off weight. The Peregrine is close to the VLA/experimental version, having different wings to fit into the LSA rule plus some small details to suit the US customer. The US-LSA certification has been granted. The Peregrine fits into the US rules ASTM 2245. The FA 04 Peregrine LSA features fixed gear and fixed pitch prop.
The FA 04 can be used for aero-towing gliders up to 700 lb (318 kg) gross weight. The Flaeming Air FA 04 Peregrine is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.
FA-04 Peregrine light sport aircraft
The FA-04 Peregrine factory-built Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) is based on Flaeming Air’s FA-02 rugged VLA certified aircraft. The FA-04 can easily be configured from tricycle to tail wheel by a certified mechanic. The cockpit, 44 inch wide at the shoulders, has adjustable seats ergonomically designed, electric flaps, and hydraulic toe brakes with a hand brake option. A mechanical elevator trim or an optional electric trim is available.
Engine options for the SLSA are 80/100 hp Rotax 912 or 80 hp Jabiru 2200 and a 3-blade propeller, ground adjustable.
FA-04 Peregrine light sport aircraft – experimental lightsport aircraft
Variants:
FA 01 Smaragd (English: Emerald) Initial model for the European FAI microlight class, with a gross weight of 472.5 lb (214 kg).
FA 02 Kit aircraft with a gross weight of 650 lb (295 kg).
FA 04 Peregrine Light-sport model for the US market, with a gross weight of 600 lb (272 kg).
FA 04 SL Super-light model with an empty weight of 270 lb (122 kg), including a ballistic parachute.
An ultra-light sporting single-seat high-wing monoplane designed by K. Flaglor of Asheville, North Carolina. The Scooter was originally powered by a Cushman golf cart engine, which was ultimately replaced by a 1,500-cc VW engine rated at 40 hp. At the 1967 EAA meet this high-wing, enclosed-cabin taildragger received both the “Outstanding Ultralight” and “Outstanding Volkswagen Powered” awards. Construction is of wood with a plywood covering, except for the aft section of the fuselage which is fabric covered. The VW engine is mounted over the cabin and turns a two-blade propeller. The Sky Scooter features all wood construction, generous wing area for STOL like performance. Easy to build and maintain.
The Scooter was later marketed by Rotor Wings & Flying Machines.
The plans for the Ace Aircraft Ace Scooter development of the Flaglor Scooter consisted of one sheet 17in x 22in, nine sheets 22in x 34in, and an illustrated construction manual containing 14 photographs used to show key assemblies and construction details. The Airfoil is drawn full size as are most of the fittings.
The Scooter is constructed primarily of marine spruce and plywood. Aircraft quality materials maybe used and are recommended for the spars. All fittings are designed for simple fabrication and are made of 4130 steel as is the motor mount tubing. The metal fairing and wing leading edge can be made of “hardware store variety” aluminium which was the case on the prototype.
The fuselage is composed of spruce longerons with plywood gussets aft and plywood sides in the cockpit area.
Ace Aircraft Ace Scooter
The landing gear is made of steel. All wing ribs are contour sawed 1/4in marine plywood, the main spars spruce as are the false and aileron spars. The wing uses a wood cross hatching in the form of an X between the ribs and spars, resulting in no need for drag or anti-drag wires or fittings.
Plywood wing tips and wood trailing edges complete the structure. Only the wing leading edge is aluminium.
Engine: VW, 25 hp. HP range: 25-40. Height: 7 ft. Length: 15 ft. Wing span: 28 ft. Wing area: 115 sq.ft. Fuel cap: 5 USG. Weight empty: 390 lbs. Gross: 625 lbs. Speed max: 95 mph. Cruise: 65 mph. Range: 180 sm. Stall: 34 mph. ROC: 325 fpm. Take-off dist: 250 ft. Landing dist: 350 ft. Seats: 1. Landing gear: tail wheel.
Engine 40-hp 1500cc Volkswagen. Gross Wt. 650 lb. Empty Wt. 390 lb. Fuel capaci¬ty 5 USG. Wingspan 28 ft Length 15 ft 8 in Wing area: 115 sq.ft. Top speed 90 mph. Cruise speed 80 mph. Stall speed 34 mph. Climb rate 600 fpm. Takeoff run 250 ft. Landing roll 250 ft. Range 175 nm Seats: 1
Engine: VW 1600 60hp Span: 27’10” Length: 15’6″ Wing Area: 115 sq. ft. Empty Weight: 390 lbs Useful Load: 235 lbs Stall: 40 mph Landing Speed: 60 mph Cruise: 100 mph Rate of Climb: 1000 fpm Take Off Distance: 350 ft Seats: 1
Ace Aircraft Ace Scooter Engine: VW 1500 Span: 28 ft 0 in Wing area: 115 sq.ft Length: 15 ft 8 in Height: 7 ft 0 in MTOW: 625 lb Empty weight: 390 lb Fuel: 7 USG Top speed: 88 mph Cruise speed: 75 mph Stall: 34 mph SL climb: 600 fpm Ceiling: 12,000 ft Range: 175 mi Take-off roll: 250 ft Landing roll: 350 ft
