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Doug Robertson
Joined: 01 Nov 2005
Posts: 1751
Location: Southern California
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Doug Robertson
Joined: 01 Nov 2005
Posts: 1751
Location: Southern California
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 Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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Well over 500 views and no right answers, so here are the answers.
1. 1929 Keystone Patrician K-78D. Considered a huge airliner in its day with wingspan of 86'6", this high wing tri-motor monoplane taildragger with three Wright Cyclone uncowled R-1750 radials of 525 Hp each carried 18 passengers in a commodious cabin. Six seats on the cabin's left side were single seats, then an aisle and across were 6 double seats. All passenger seats had rectangular shatter-proof window excellent views that spanned the length of the seating with narrow frames, yielding almost panorama views. A lavatory was behind the cabin seating and a 600 lb. baggage compartment was behind that. Two crew-pilot and copilot.
2. The semi-cantilever wing construction was unusual in having four sections-with inner wing panels from the fuselage attach points to the two wing underslung engine nacelles of spar beams of welded steel tubing metal trusses with truss-type wing ribs. Outboard of these were built-up spruce wood and plywood box-type spar beams and wooden truss-type wing ribs. Wing leading edges were covered with dural sheet metal and the complete wing framework of all four panels was covered in fabric.
Parallel steel struts braced the wings and the underslung engine nacelles making a strong steel truss. The main landing gear also were braced with the wing braces and the engine mountings. The nose radial engine was also uncowled. The landing gear of 19'6" tread had oleo struts and spring shock-absorbing struts. Unusual were landing gear spats and wheel covers, although I doubt this did much drag reduction or streamlining. Gear of course were fixed, not retractable. Bendix wheel brakes were standard. Fuel of 420 gallons was carried in tanks in the inner wing panels and engine oil in the engine nacelles. Strangely, the center engine had a two-blade prop, with the outboard engines having tri-blade props. If anyone can tell me why-that would be appreciated. The Patrician was the largest tri-motor transport at its time.
3. The prototype K-28 after making the transcontinental flights introduction was sold to the Wright Aeronautical Corp. for use as a flying testbed for its new Cyclone engines. A new plush interior with private offices and beds was installed. Keystone was a division of the Curtiss-Wright Corp.
A production run of ten airliners was planned by Keystone but only one more Patrician, the K-78D model was slated for service with Transcontinental Air Transport- (T.A.T.) for cross-country usage. This was approved as ATC #260 of 30 October 1929. The airliner's career was abruptly curtailed by the 1930 economic depression after the 1929 Wall Street crash. A second production K-78D was built, but orders to Keystone were soon cancelled.
The Type Certificate allowed a 16,000 lb. gross weight later approved for 16,600 lb. gross. The Cyclone engines had large collector rings which muffled exhaust noise so normal cabin conversation was provided. Emphasis was on crew visibility in cockpit design. Max speed was 144 mph with cruise at 120 mph. Landing speed 60 mph. Range was 480-550 miles. Original price-$90,000 later lowered to $85,000 and finally to $65,000 in 1930 with no takers.
Also unusual perhaps, the Keystone Patrician was offered with three Pratt & Whitney Hornet radials of 525 Hp each.
I thank all who viewed this tough quiz.
_________________
PP ASEL
Link to my photos- http://airport-data.com/photographers/Doug+Robertson:84/ |
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red750
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
Posts: 349
Location: Melbourne Australia
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