title: Powell PH Racer
text: # Powell PH Racer
  
  The Powell PH Racer was a 1920s air racer which held the distinction of having won all the races it entered.
  
  ## Design and development
  
  The aircraft was designed by Professor C.H. Powell, teacher at the Aeronautics Department of the University of Detroit.
  
  The biplane racer used an all-wood fuselage with birch paneling. The wing spars were also wood with fabric covering. Uniquely, the aileron hinges were made of leather.
  
  ## Operational history
  
  ### Race Winnings
  
  * 1925 National Air Races piloted by Jerry V. Dack of Dayton, Ohio
  * Aero Digest Trophy (Dack)
  * The Dayton Daily News Trophy
  * The Scientific American Trophy
  
  The Powell Racer was returned to the University of Detroit where it was destroyed in static load tests.
  
  ## Variants
  
  * Shirlen Big Cootie A set of plans were drawn up for the Powell PH Racer, using steel tubing for the fuselage.
  
  ## Specifications (Powell Racer)
  
  Data from experimenter
  
  General characteristics
  
  * Capacity: one
  * Length: 14 ft (4.3 m)
  * Wingspan: 15 ft 9 in (4.80 m)
  * Wing area: 76 sq ft (7.1 $m^2)$
  * Airfoil: RAF 15
  * Empty weight: 310 lb (141 kg)
  * Gross weight: 475 lb (215 kg)
  * Fuel capacity: 8 gal (30 litres)
  * Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Cherub , 32 hp (24 kW)
  * Propellers: single blade Curtiss-Ried
  
  Performance
  
  * Maximum speed: 74 kn (85 mph, 137 km/h)
  * Cruise speed: 65 kn (75 mph, 121 km/h)
  * Stall speed: 43 kn (50 mph, 80 km/h)
  * Range: 350 nmi (400 mi, 640 km)
  