Powell PH Racer
# Powell PH Racer

The Powell PH Racer was a 1920s air racer which held the distinction of having won all the races it entered.

## Design and development

The aircraft was designed by Professor C.H. Powell, teacher at the Aeronautics Department of the University of Detroit.

The biplane racer used an all-wood fuselage with birch paneling. The wing spars were also wood with fabric covering. Uniquely, the aileron hinges were made of leather.

## Operational history

### Race Winnings

* 1925 National Air Races piloted by Jerry V. Dack of Dayton, Ohio
* Aero Digest Trophy (Dack)
* The Dayton Daily News Trophy
* The Scientific American Trophy

The Powell Racer was returned to the University of Detroit where it was destroyed in static load tests.

## Variants

* Shirlen Big Cootie A set of plans were drawn up for the Powell PH Racer, using steel tubing for the fuselage.

## Specifications (Powell Racer)

Data from experimenter

General characteristics

* Capacity: one
* Length: 14 ft (4.3 m)
* Wingspan: 15 ft 9 in (4.80 m)
* Wing area: 76 sq ft (7.1 $m^2)$
* Airfoil: RAF 15
* Empty weight: 310 lb (141 kg)
* Gross weight: 475 lb (215 kg)
* Fuel capacity: 8 gal (30 litres)
* Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Cherub , 32 hp (24 kW)
* Propellers: single blade Curtiss-Ried

Performance

* Maximum speed: 74 kn (85 mph, 137 km/h)
* Cruise speed: 65 kn (75 mph, 121 km/h)
* Stall speed: 43 kn (50 mph, 80 km/h)
* Range: 350 nmi (400 mi, 640 km)
