Commercial C-1 Sunbeam
| C-1 Sunbeam | |
|---|---|
| Role | Biplane |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Commercial Aircraft Corp |
| Produced | 1929 |
| Unit cost |
US$13,500 in 1929 |
The Commercial C-1 Sunbeam was a long-range biplane used in record-setting flights of the 1920s.[1]
Design
The conventional landing gear-equipped biplane featured a two-seat open cockpit and a four-passenger enclosed cabin. The fuselage is constructed with welded steel tubing with fabric covering. The wheels were covered with large streamlined wheel pants.
Operational history
On 27 November 1929 Elinor Smith and Bobbie Trout set a 42-hour endurance record over Los Angeles flying a C-1 Sunbeam refueled three times from a Curtiss Carrier Pigeon mailpane. Although the Sunbeam was performing well, the Carrier Pigeon support plane had mechanical difficulties after the third day. 672 gallons of fuel were used in the attempt, making Smith and Trout the first women to refuel in the air.[2][3][4]
Variants
- Commercial Sumbeam C-102
- X-564M used a 300 hp (224 kW) Wright J-6 radial engine for the endurance flights of 1929 and 1931.[5]
Specifications (Commercial C-1 Sunbeam)
Data from Aerofiles
General characteristics
- Capacity: 6
- Length: 27 ft (8.2 m)
- Wingspan: 34 ft (10 m)
- Powerplant: 1 × Curtiss Wright J-5 Whirlwind Radial, 220 hp (160 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 109 kn; 201 km/h (125 mph)
- Cruise speed: 96 kn; 177 km/h (110 mph)
- Stall speed: 40 kn; 74 km/h (46 mph)