Towle TA-3

Development

Thomas Towle was an engineer that had been involved with many early aircraft designs. Having just co-designed the Eastman E-2 Sea Rover. The TA-3 was a six-seat follow-on to the Towle TA-2 which crashed on its first flight. The wing from the TA-2 prototype was salvaged and reused on the TA-3.

Design

The TA-3 featured two diesel radial engines on tall struts above the wings. Diesel engines were relatively new and were touted as being safer because they used a less volatile fuel than gasoline. The engines were provided on loan from the Packard Motor Car Company. The salvaged all-metal wing featured internal bracing based on the Ford Trimotor design that Towle had worked on previously. The tail used two rudders placed in the slipstream of the engines.

Operational history

The prototype was built at Grosse Ile Municipal Airport and first flew in May 1930 piloted by George Pond.

Specifications (Towle TA-3)

|prime units?=imp General characteristics

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

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 lb/sqft=15.28 |power/mass=13.2 lb/hp

References

References

1. ROBERT B. MEYER. (1964). "The First Airplane Diesel Engine: Packard Model DR-980 of 1928". SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION • NATIONAL AIR MUSEUM WASHINGTON, D.C.
2. E. R. Johnson. "American flying boats and amphibious aircraft: an illustrated history".
3. (2009). "MICHIGAN AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS". Arcadia Publishing.
4. (1931). "Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1931". Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd.