The Christensen Zipper is an air racer that was built to compete in the Goodyear midget air races.[1]
| Zipper | |
|---|---|
| Role | Air racer |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | Harvey Christensen |
| Introduction | 1948 |
Design and development edit
The Christensen Zipper was developed by Harvey Christensen and was patterned after Steve Wittman's Bonzo and Buster midget racers.[2]
The Zipper is a single-place, mid-winged aircraft with conventional landing gear. The fuselage was constructed from welded steel tubing with fabric covering. The wing used two wooden spars with strut wire bracing and fabric covering.[3]
Operational history edit
During the 1948 National Air Races the aircraft was disqualified due to a spar structure inspection.
In the 1949 National Air Races the Zipper flew with the race number 59, sponsored by Rich-O-Root Beer with a qualifying run of 156.245 mph (251 km/h). Christensen flew to third place, but landed one lap early after seeing the checkered flag for a competitor who had lapped him. The Zipper fell to tenth place for landing early.[4]
Specifications (Zipper) edit
Data from AAHS Journal
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental C-85
- Propellers: 2-bladed aluminum propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 156.245 mph (251.452 km/h, 135.773 kn)
See also edit
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References edit
- ^ Sport Aviation: 22. May 1958.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Warren Eberspacher (Spring 2004). "Life at the 1949 National Air Races with the Christensen Goodyear Midget "Zipper"". AAHS Journal: 25.
- ^ Exxon Air World. 2: 138.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "air racing" (PDF). Retrieved 29 October 2012.[permanent dead link]