Engineering:Christensen Zipper
| Zipper | |
|---|---|
| Role | Air racer |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | Harvey Christensen |
| Introduction | 1948 |
The Christensen Zipper is an air racer that was built to compete in the Goodyear midget air races.[1]
Design and development
The Christensen Zipper was developed by Harvey Christensen and was patterned after Steve Wittman's Bonzo and Buster midget racers.[2]
The Zipper is a single-place, mid-winged aircraft with conventional landing gear. The fuselage was constructed from welded steel tubing with fabric covering. The wing used two wooden spars with strut wire bracing and fabric covering.[3]
Operational history
During the 1948 National Air Races the aircraft was disqualified due to a spar structure inspection.
In the 1949 National Air Races the Zipper flew with the race number 59, sponsored by Rich-O-Root Beer with a qualifying run of 156.245 mph (251 km/h). Christensen flew to third place, but landed one lap early after seeing the checkered flag for a competitor who had lapped him. The Zipper fell to tenth place for landing early.[4]
Specifications (Zipper)
Data from AAHS Journal
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental C-85
- Propellers: 2-bladed aluminum propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 156.245 mph (251.452 km/h, 135.773 kn)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Wittman Buster
References
- ↑ Sport Aviation: 22. May 1958.
- ↑ Warren Eberspacher (Spring 2004). "Life at the 1949 National Air Races with the Christensen Goodyear Midget "Zipper"". AAHS Journal: 25.
- ↑ Exxon Air World 2: 138.
- ↑ "air racing". http://www.if1airracing.com/index_htm_files/formula_forum/2011_MARAPR.pdf. Retrieved 29 October 2012.[yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
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