Eichmann Aerobat I
| Eichmann Aerobat I | |
|---|---|
.jpg) A United States Experimental Aircraft | |
| General information | |
| Type | Reverse-Delta Flying Wing |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Mr. Ellis V. Eichmann |
| Designer | Mr. Ellis V. Eichmann 1937 |
| Status | On museum static display |
| Primary user | Private Pilot |
| Number built | 3 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1937–1986 |
| First flight | 1942 |
The Eichmann Aerobat I is an American piston-engined civilian designed delta wing aeroplane.
Design and development
[edit]This delta wing concept was originally develop by Ellis V. "Ike" Eichmann[1] as an reverse-delta flying wing Aeroplane.
Mr. Eichmann built three delta winged aircrafts. The Aerobat I c. 1937, was powered by a 50 hp Continental engine. Its span was 24'0" and it was 17'0' in length. The FAA registration number was NX17638.
Aerobat I "Bat 1" was a tail-dragger with widely spaced retractable landing gear that folded outward into the bottom of the wing. Most of the aircraft is a reverse-delta wing planform, but the forward fuselage contained the engine which extended in front of the wing. It has two bubble canopies and a lower small window for the pilot to see the ground. There was a single vertical tail with the stabilizer mounted at the top, and small teardrop-shaped tip plates on the tips of the stabilizer.[2]
Aerobat II and III, a.k.a "Aerobat B", were redesigned and rebuilds of the original. Aerobat II retained the original license. Aerobat III had a tail-mounted pusher engine and was issued FAA number NX64638.
Accidents
[edit]On 20 July 1997, Eichmann died in the maiden flight of Aerobat III when oscillation caused elevator failure and a crash on take-off at Brownsville, Texas.
Aircraft on display
[edit]Aerobat I is on display at the Texas Air Museum - Stinson Chapter