Perl PG-130 Penetrator

The Perl PG-130 Penetrator is an American mid-wing, single-seat glider that was designed and constructed by Harry Perl.[1][2]

PG-130 Penetrator
Role Glider
National origin United States
Designer Harry Perl
First flight 1953
Status Sole example in the National Soaring Museum
Produced 1953
Number built One

Design and development

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The PG-130 was completed in 1953. The aircraft has a wooden structure, with the wings and tail covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. The 48 ft (14.6 m) span wing employs a Göttingen Gö 549 airfoil and features dive brakes. The wing has a foam-filled leading edge. The tail is an all-flying design. The aircraft originally took off from a jettisonable take-off dolly and landed on a fixed skid, but was later modified with a fixed monowheel.[1][2][3]

The sole example of the PG-130 was registered with the US Federal Aviation Administration as an Experimental - Amateur-built.[2]

Operational history

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Soaring Magazine reported in 1983 that Perl still owned the aircraft and was flying it at that time. The PG-130 was removed from the FAA register prior to 1989 and now belongs to the National Soaring Museum, where it was listed as "in storage" in June 2011.[2][4]

Aircraft on display

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Specifications (PG-130)

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Data from Sailplane Directory, Soaring and The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage[1][2][3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)
  • Wing area: 130 sq ft (12 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 17.75:1
  • Airfoil: Göttingen Gö 549
  • Empty weight: 480 lb (218 kg)
  • Gross weight: 680 lb (308 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 33 at 52 mph (84 km/h)
  • Rate of sink: 126 ft/min (0.64 m/s) at 44 mph (71 km/h)
  • Wing loading: 5.23 lb/sq ft (25.5 kg/m2)

See also

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Related development

Related lists

References

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  1. ^ a b c Activate Media (2006). "Penetrator PG-130 Perl". Archived from the original on August 19, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 52. Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. ^ a b Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on April 20, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  4. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (June 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  5. ^ National Soaring Museum (2011). "Sailplanes in Our Collection". Archived from the original on May 16, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2011.