NAC Freelance

The NAC-1 Freelance, originally the BN-3 Nymph, is a British four-seat touring monoplane.

NAC-1 (BN-3) Freelance
Norman NAC-1 Freelance at Cotswold Airport, England, in 2018
Role Four-seat monoplane
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Britten-Norman
NDN Aircraft
Norman Aircraft Company
Designer Desmond Norman
First flight 17 May 1969 (BN-3)
29 September 1984 (NAC-1)[1]
Status Operational in 2003, now stored
Number built 2

Development

Designed by Desmond Norman when with Britten-Norman, the BN-3 Nymph was an all-metal high-wing braced monoplane powered by a 115 hp Lycoming O-235 engine. It was designed to allow it to be assembled in under-developed countries which would build the aircraft under a technology transfer scheme.[2]

With the demise of the original Britten-Norman company, Norman took the design with him to his new company NDN Aircraft. NDN planned to build and sell the Nymph with a lengthened cabin as the NAC-1 Freelance. The Nymph was reworked as the prototype Freelance and first flew in that configuration on 29 September 1984.[1] In 1985 NDN Aircraft was renamed the Norman Aircraft Company (NAC) and components and fuselage sections for six aircraft were built. Following the failure of the company to win a military order with the NDN Firecracker military trainer the company was closed down.

Specifications (BN-3)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969–70[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 3 passengers
  • Length: 23 ft 7 in (7.20 m)
  • Wingspan: 39 ft 4 in (11.98 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)
  • Wing area: 169.0 sq ft (15.70 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 9.1:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 23012
  • Empty weight: 1,140 lb (517 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,925 lb (873 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-235-C1B air-cooled flat-four, 115 hp (86 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Sensenich, 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 117 mph (188 km/h, 102 kn) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 113 mph (182 km/h, 98 kn) at 7,500 ft (2,300 m)
  • Range: 600 mi (970 km, 520 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 11,200 ft (3,400 m)
  • Rate of climb: 600 ft/min (3.0 m/s)
  • Take-off run to 50 ft (15 m): 1,550 ft (470 m)
  • Landing run from 50 ft (15 m): 920 ft (280 m)

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References
  1. Simpson 2001, p. 400
  2. Taylor 1969, pp. 198–199.
  • Jackson, A.J. (1973). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-10006-9.
  • Simpson, Rod (2001). Airlife's World Aircraft. Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-115-3.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1969). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969–70. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
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