On Mar 10, 4:59 pm, Bertie the Bunyip wrote:
Dan wrote in news:ed613966-4828-4aa4-acba-
:



It's amazing how such efficiencies were wrung from such meager HP.

Use the same design, reduce the weight with more lightweight
materials, and perhaps..?

Mostly the culprit is desigining airplanes that were relatively easy to
manufacture and also to make them more appealling to more people. The old
Bellancas were a thing of rare beauty. I'm strongly tempted to get on as
they are still very cheap. the old 150 Franklin powered Cruisair will do a
genuine 150 mph with four up.
And then there are the prewar Cessnas. Beautiful things that did an honest
135 mph on 145 HP...

Bertie

Nearby is someone I have to visit -- Bill Pancake, who is apparently
world renown for his Aeronca expertise.

I was floored when I learned the TAS of a Staggerwing from an owner...
unbelievable. And what a huge cabin!

I'm still impressed by the efficiency and performance of the '47 35 V
tail....


Dan