Experimental Craft Hydrofoil No. 4 (XCH-4)

The Experimental Craft Hydrofoil No. 4 (XCH-4) was a high speed hydrofoil of the United States Navy. In 1947 the Bureau of Ships in association with the Office of Naval Research subsidised the construction of a number of small watercraft to explore several different types of foils and foil control-system configurations. The XCH-4 (sometimes referred to as "The Carl Boat") was designed by John H. Carl and built, in 1953, by Dynamic Developments Inc., a former associate of the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation.[1][2]

Experimental Craft Hydrofoil No. 4 (XCH-4)
USS XCH-4 underway
History
United States
Builder: Dynamic Developments Inc.
General characteristics
Displacement: 16,000 lbs
Length: 53 ft (16 m)
Beam: 32 ft (9.8 m)
Propulsion: 2 Pratt and Whitney R-985 450 hp each
Speed: Maximum 78 knots (foil-borne)

The XCH-4 employed three struts with "ladder" type hydrofoils. The foils were swept back approximately 45 degrees and have considerable dihedral providing a very stable ride even in moderately rough seas. The design eliminated drag inducing water propeller drive systems in favor of aircraft type propellers powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial engines and in 1955 the vessel set a world speed record 78 knots.[3][4]

See also

References
  1. Walker, C. Lester (Feb 1961). "Ships That Fly on Wings". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  2. Armagnac, Alden P. (July 1961). "Seagoing Hydrofoils Do 60 Knots". Popular Science. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  3. Palmer, Irwin (1962). "Gas Turbine in Hydrofoil Seacraft". ASME 1962 Gas Turbine Power Conference and Exhibit. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. pp. 1–2. doi:10.1115/62-GTP-4. ISBN 978-0-7918-7993-1.
  4. Harris, Robert B. (June 1958). "Hydrofoil Craft" (PDF). The Amateur Yacht Research Society. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
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