Rider R-5

Development

Keith Rider developed the R-4 Firecracker and R-5 at the same time to compete in the 1936 racing season.

Design

The R-5 is a low winged monoplane with retractable conventional landing gear. The wing is all wood with two spars and plywood covering. The fuselage is welded steel tubing with fabric covering. The tail surfaces are all-metal. The brakeless retractable main gear used a simple manual jackscrew. A tailskid was used rather than a tailwheel.

Operational history

• 1936 National Air Races at Los Angeles - Pilot Dave Elmendorf placed third in the 580ci speed dash at 221.554 mph. The aircraft was painted yellow and named the "Elmendorf Special"

Douglas aircraft engineers Hal Marcoux and Jack Bromberg purchased the aircraft, painted it black and yellow, and renamed it the "Jackrabbit".

• 1938 National Air Races Greve trophy - Pilot Earl Ortman placed fourth with a speed of 192.503 mph.
• 1939 National Air Races - The aircraft was present, but did not compete due to engine issues. The National Air Races would be postponed afterward because of World War II. The R-5 was retired from racing.

The R-5 was purchased by James C. Garvin in 1966 later by Morton Lester for display at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Variants

• Rider R-4 A near twin design with two feet less wingspan than the R-5
• Rider R-5

Specifications (R-5)

|prime units?=kts General characteristics

|max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= Powerplant

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|eng2 kn-ab= |eng2 lbf-ab=

|eng3 kn-ab= |eng3 lbf-ab=

Performance

|never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed kmh= |minimum control speed mph= |minimum control speed kts= |minimum control speed note= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |disk loading kg/m2= |disk loading lb/sqft=

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References

References

1. Jack Cox. (September 1982). "THE KEITH RIDER R-5 "JACKRABBIT"". Sport Aviation.
2. Aeronautics. (1961)
3. "Rider R-5".