Towle TA-3

The Towle TA-3 was an amphibious aircraft based on the Towle TA-2.

TA-3
Role Amphibious aircraft
National origin United States of America
Manufacturer Towle Aircraft Company
Designer Thomas Towle
First flight May 1930
Number built 1
Developed from Towle TA-2

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.[1] 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.[2]

Operational history

The prototype was built at Grosse Ile Municipal Airport and first flew in May 1930 piloted by George Pond.[2] The prototype was leased to Kohler Airlines for two years before being flipped in a gear-down water landing in 1932. The aircraft was later sold and used in running liquor from the Bahamas to Florida during prohibition until it was destroyed in a storm at Bimini Island.[3]

Specifications (Towle TA-3)

Data from Michigan Aircraft Manufacturers[3], Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1931[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 8 pax
  • Length: 43 ft (13 m)
  • Wingspan: 56 ft (17 m)
  • Height: 13 ft (4.0 m)
  • Wing area: 400 sq ft (37 m2)
  • Empty weight: 3,943 lb (1,789 kg)
  • Gross weight: 6,200 lb (2,812 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Packard DR-980 Radial, 225 hp (168 kW) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)
  • Range: 500 mi (800 km, 430 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5,200 m)
  • Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 15.28 lb/sq ft (74.6 kg/m2)
  • Power/mass: 13.2 lb/hp (8.0 kg/kW)
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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. p. 324.
  3. Pauley, Robert F. (2009). MICHIGAN AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS. South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738552187.
  4. Grey, C.G., ed. (1931). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1931. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. p. 324c.

Images of the Towle TA-3:-

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