| Albree Pigeon-Fraser | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Fighter |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | George N. Albree |
| Status | cancelled |
| Number built | 3 |
| History | |
| First flight | December 1917 |
The Albree Pigeon-Fraser was the first pursuit aircraft project for the United States Government.
Development
George Albree was awarded the first US pursuit aircraft contract in 1917. The aircraft was designed with a flat bottom airfoil and the aft fuselage was hinged to act like an elevator.
Operational history
The first aircraft flew in December 1917, however it crashed on its first flight, killing the pilot. The second aircraft never flew and was destroyed during structural testing. The third aircraft was not completed before the program was cancelled for being "too old-fashioned, unreliable, and slow".
Surviving aircraft
The incomplete third aircraft was put into storage and in 1961 was acquired by the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome where it is currently on display.
Specifications
Data from The Complete Book of Fighters
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 24 ft 0 in (7.32 m)
- Wingspan: 37 ft 11 in (11.56 m)
- Gross weight: 1,250 lb (567 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Gnome rotary engine, 100 hp (75 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 103 mph (166 km/h, 90 kn)
References
- ^ Holcomb, Kevin. "Albree Pigeon-Fraser Pursuit - Holcomb's Aerodrome". www.airminded.net. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
- "Albree Pigeon Fraser | Aircraft in Focus". aircraft-in-focus.com. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
- "World War I (1914-1918) « Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome". oldrhinebeck.org. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
- Green & Swanborough 1994, p. 471
- Angelucci, Enzo; Bowers, Peter (1987). The American Fighter. Sparkford, UK: Haynes Publishing Group. ISBN 0-85429-635-2.
- Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (1994). The Complete Book of Fighters. Smithmark Publishers. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.