Aerial Distributors Distributor Wing

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DW-1
Role Agricultural aircraft
Manufacturer Aerial Distributors
Designer Ken Razak
First flight 30 January 1965

The Distributor Wing DW-1 was a prototype agricultural aircraft of unorthodox design, designed by Ken Razak in the United States and marketed by Aerial Distributors in the 1960s.

Design[edit]

Developed with assistance from NASA, the University of Wichita and the University of Robbins, California,[1] the aircraft was unusual in that it had a second engine mounted directly below its main powerplant, using this second motor to power a distribution system that used compressed air to carry dry chemicals from a hopper and blow them out of the trailing edges of its wings, over the flaps. Varying the power of this blower engine also provided lift control.

Flight testing and cancellation[edit]

First flown on January 30, 1965, the DW-1 was flight tested over several years, with the cowling being revised during testing.[1] Development was terminated by economic conditions in the fertilizer market.

Specifications (Production DW-1)[edit]

Data from [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 39.9 cubic feet (1.13 m3) hopper capacity
  • Length: 28 ft 4 in (8.64 m)
  • Wingspan: 43 ft 10 in (13.36 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) to top of canopy
  • Wing area: 240 sq ft (22 m2)
  • Max takeoff weight: 5,200 lb (2,359 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 60 US gallons (230 L; 50 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IGO-540 six-cylinder horizontally opposed piston engine, 350 hp (260 kW)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-235 four-cylinder horizontally opposed piston engine, 108 hp (81 kW) powering spraying and dusting gear
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Hartzell Propeller variable-pitch, 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m) diameter

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 150 kn (170 mph, 280 km/h)
  • Stall speed: 40 kn (46 mph, 74 km/h) empty
  • Rate of climb: 350 ft/min (1.8 m/s)

See also[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1971). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971-1972. London: Sampson Low Marston & Co., LTD. p. 296. ISBN 0-354-00094-2.

External links[edit]