Prue 215
The Prue 215 is an American high-wing, V-tailed, single-seat glider that was designed by Irving Prue in 1949.[1][2]
215 | |
---|---|
Role | Glider |
National origin | United States |
Designer | Irving Prue |
Introduction | 1949 |
Number built | 3 |
Design and development
The Prue 215 is an all-metal design with a short 40 ft (12.2 m) wing with a relatively high aspect ratio of 20:1. The wing uses a NACA 23012 airfoil at the wing root, becoming a NACA 8318 at the wing tip. Airfoil-shaped flaps are mounted below and behind the wing for glidepath control. The aircraft uses a retractable monowheel landing gear.[1][2][3]
Three Prue 215s were built, all as amateur-builts from plans. The initial one was Prue's prototype. The second one was built by Ed Minghelli and later owned by Max Dreher, who mounted a jet engine on it. The second and third built are designated 215A.[2][4][5]
Operational history
The second Prue 215 built was flown to second place in the 1958 US Nationals by Harold Hutchinson.[1][2]
Only one Prue 215 remains listed on the Federal Aviation Administration registry.[4]
Variants
- 215
- The first aircraft constructed was designated as a Prue 215.[2]
- 215A
- The second and third aircraft constructed were given the designation Prue 215A.[4][5]
- Brown Rebel
- Prue 215 fuselage mated to wings from the Lyle Maxey Jennie Mae
Aircraft on display
- National Soaring Museum - one, listed as in storage in June 2011.[6]
Specifications (215)
Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 40 ft (12 m)
- Wing area: 90 sq ft (8.4 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 20:1
- Airfoil: Root: NACA 23012, tip: NACA 8318
- Empty weight: 340 lb (154 kg)
- Gross weight: 540 lb (245 kg)
Performance
- Maximum glide ratio: 29:1 at 52 mph (84 km/h)
- Rate of sink: 156 ft/min (0.79 m/s) at 40 mph (64 km/h)
- Wing loading: 6.0 lb/sq ft (29 kg/m2)
References
- Activate Media (2006). "215 Prue". Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
- Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 54, Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
- Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
- Federal Aviation Administration (June 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results N90612". Retrieved 14 June 2011.
- Federal Aviation Administration (June 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results N454Y". Retrieved 14 June 2011.
- National Soaring Museum (2011). "Sailplanes in Our Collection". Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2011.