The Security Airster S-1 is an American two-seat single-engined monoplane designed by Bert Kinner and built by his Security National Aircraft Corporation later named the American Aircraft Corporation.[1]
| Airster S-1 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Two-seat light monoplane |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Security National Aircraft Corporation American Aircraft Corporation |
| Designer | Bert Kinner |
| First flight | 1933 |
| Number built | 19 |
Development
editThe Airster S-1 appeared in 1933 after the designer Bert Kinner had started the Security National Aircraft Corporation to build it.[1] The Airster S-1-A was a side-by-side two-seat single-engined low-wing braced monoplane, it had folding wings and a fixed tailwheel landing gear.[1] The aircraft was powered by one of Kinners engines the 100 hp (75 kW) Kinner K-5 radial.[1] A coupe option was available to enclose the open cockpit.[1] The economic situation in the United States of the early 1930s was not a good time to launch a light aircraft and only 15 were built when production of the S-1A stopped in January 1935.[1] One of the purchasers of the aircraft turned out to be Edgar Rice Burroughs, author of the Tarzan series.[2][3]
In 1939 with the company renamed the American Aircraft Corporation, Kinner attempted to restart production with a revised Airster S-1-B, again powered by his own engine a 125 hp (93 kW) Security S5-125 radial.[1] Times were no better and only about five were built before the factory and assets were bought in 1942 by the National Airplane & Motor Company.[1]
Variants
edit- Airster S-1
- Prototypes powered by 100hp (75kW) Kinner K-5 radial engine, two built.[4]
- Airster S-1-A
- Production version, 12 built.[4]
- Airster S-1-B
- Revised 1939 variant with a 125hp (93kW) Security S5-125 radial engine, five built.[4]
Specifications (S-1-A)
editData from [4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 23 ft 11 in (7.29 m)
- Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m)
- Empty weight: 1,197 lb (543 kg) [5]
- Gross weight: 1,775 lb (805 kg) [5]
- Powerplant: 1 × Kinner K-5 radial piston engine, 100 hp (75 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)
- Cruise speed: 88 mph (142 km/h, 76 kn)
- Range: 300 mi (480 km, 260 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 m)
References
editNotes
editBibliography
edit- "Foreign Aircraft:The Security "Airster"". Flight. No. 24 May 1934. pp. 521–522.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.