Ross RH-3
| RH-3 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Glider |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Marvin Hicks |
| Designer | Harland Ross |
| First flight | 1 January 1963 |
| Primary user | Marvin Hicks |
| Number built | One |
| Developed from | Ross R-2 |
The Ross RH-3 is a single seat, mid-wing glider that was designed by Harland Ross.[1][2]
Design and development
[edit]Ross designed the R-3 as simplified version of the Ross R-2 Ibis with the intention of making the aircraft type easier to construct for amateur builders. The fuselage remained similar to the R-2, but the wing was redesigned as a straight wing, in contrast to the R-2's complex gull wing. The R-3 design was intended to be of all-wooden construction and employed a NACA 23018 airfoil section. Ross never constructed an example of the R-3.[1][2]
Marvin Hicks of Aurora, Colorado purchased a set of plans and built a modified version of the aircraft over a ten-year period, culminating in a first flight on 1 January 1963. Hicks' aircraft used an increased span wing with flaps and a NACA 63 (3)-618 laminar flow airfoil. He designated the aircraft as the RH-3, indicating Ross-Hicks as contributing designers. The RH-3 proved to be a good performer in soaring contests.[1][2][3]
Variants
[edit]- R-3
- Original Ross design, with a NACA 23018 airfoil. None built.[1][2]
- RH-3
- Hicks modified Ross design, with a NACA 63 (3)-618 laminar flow airfoil. One built.[1][2]
Specifications (RH-3)
[edit]Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m)
- Wing area: 146 sq ft (13.6 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 17:1
- Airfoil: NACA 63 (3)-618
- Empty weight: 480 lb (218 kg)
- Gross weight: 715 lb (324 kg)
Performance
- Maximum glide ratio: 34:1 at 58 mph
- Rate of sink: 126 ft/min (0.64 m/s) at 40 mph
- Wing loading: 4.9 lb/sq ft (24 kg/m2)
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Activate Media (2006). "R-3 Ross". Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 60. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (March 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved March 8, 2011.