Franklin PS-2

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PS-2
Franklin PS-2 (XPS-2) Glider - GPN-2000-001727.jpg
Franklin PS-2 training glider is about to be towed aloft by the specially modified car in front.
Role Glider
National origin United States
Manufacturer
Designer
First flight 1930
Introduction 1930
Variants Stevens SU-1

The Franklin PS-2 is an American, high-wing, strut-braced, single seat, glider that was designed by and produced by the starting in 1930.[1][2]

Design and development[]

The prototype PS-2 was the 50-foot (15 m) wingspan Texaco Eaglet, flown in 1930. The production PS-2 had shorter 36 ft (11.0 m) wings.[1][2]

The PS-2 is constructed with a steel tube fuselage and a wooden wing, all covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. The wings lack spoilers of other glide-path control devices and are supported by dual, parallel struts. The landing gear is a fixed monowheel and a skid.[1][2]

Operational history[]

Franklin XPS-2

The prototype Eaglet performed a number of long tows, including one flown by Frank Hawks from California to Elmira, New York in 1930[3] and is now in the National Air and Space Museum.[1][2]

In 1934, the PS-2 was the glider of choice for the Lustig Skytrain experiment. The concept was to tow three gliders in tandem, taking off from New York City and releasing one each over Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The gliders were piloted by , PS-2 designer R.E. Franklin and . The Skytrain was intended to be a proof-of-concept for a future airline service, but was not pursued.

The PS-2 was also used in 1934 for a United States Navy primary flight training experiment in Pensacola, Florida, designed by [1][2]

The PS-2 was also flown by many early glider pilots including Richard Chichester du Pont, , and Stan Smith.[1][2]

In 1983, two were reported as being still flown and one was under restoration by the designer's son, Chuck Franklin.[2] The Federal Aviation Administration had seven PS-2s registered in March 2011, including the Franklin-Stevens PS-2.[4]

Variants[]

Texaco Eaglet
Prototype with 50-foot (15 m) span wings[1][2]
PS-2
Production model with a 36 ft (11.0 m) wingspan[1][2]
Franklin-Stevens PS-2
Modified model[5]
TG-15
United States Army Air Corps designation for eight PS-2 gliders impressed as training gliders in 1942.
TG-17
United States Army Air Corps designation for one PS-2 gliders impressed as a training glider in 1942 (serial number 42-57193).[6]


Aircraft on display[]

Specifications (PS-2)[]

Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m)
  • Wing area: 180 sq ft (17 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 7.2:1
  • Empty weight: 220 lb (100 kg)
  • Gross weight: 400 lb (181 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 15:1
  • Rate of sink: 150 ft/min (0.76 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 2.22 lb/sq ft (10.8 kg/m2)

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k Activate Media (2006). "PS-2 Franklin". Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 12. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. ^ "Franklin "Texaco Eaglet"". National Air and Space Museum. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  4. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (March 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b National Soaring Museum (2011). "Sailplanes in Our Collection". Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  6. ^ https://usmilitaryaircraft.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/airf-tg.pdf
  7. ^ US Southwest Soaring Museum (2010). "Sailplanes, Hang Gliders & Motor Gliders". Retrieved 26 May 2011.

External links[]

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