Skroback Roadable Airplane
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| Skroback Roadable Airplane | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Roadable aircraft |
| National origin | United States of America |
| Designer | Frank E. Skroback |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1 |
| Introduction date | 1934 |
The Skroback Roadable Airplane was an early attempt to produce a roadable airplane. To keep the aircraft within a reasonable width for driving with fixed wings, the inventor used many wing surfaces along the length of the vehicle.
Frank E. Skroback was an inventor with several patents.[1] His concept of a roadable started with sketches in 1927. The vehicle was inspired by the French designs of Henri Mignet and his Flying Flea.[2] The prototype was completed in 1934.
The finished prototype used 3 pairs of short seven foot span biplane wings positioned at the front, middle and rear of the vehicle. A small set of rudders on the rear wing assembly could be operated differentially to provide yaw and roll in flight. The vehicle was powered by a tractor configuration Continental A-40 engine driving a propeller. The "body" or fuselage, used spruce stringers, was fabric covered and resembled a dirigible in shape. The wheels were positioned in the conventional taildragger configuration.[3]