Aerial Distributors Distributor Wing

The Distributor Wing DW-1 was a prototype agricultural aircraft of unorthodox design, designed by Ken Razak in the United States and marketed by Aerial Distributors in the 1960s.

DW-1
Role Agricultural aircraft
Manufacturer Aerial Distributors
Designer Ken Razak
First flight 30 January 1965

Design

Developed with assistance from NASA, the University of Wichita and the University of Robbins, California,[1] the aircraft was unusual in that it had a second engine mounted directly below its main powerplant, using this second motor to power a distribution system that used compressed air to carry dry chemicals from a hopper and blow them out of the trailing edges of its wings, over the flaps. Varying the power of this blower engine also provided lift control.

Flight testing and cancellation

First flown on January 30, 1965, the DW-1 was flight tested over several years, with the cowling being revised during testing.[1] Development was terminated by economic conditions in the fertilizer market.

Specifications (Production DW-1)

Data from [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 39.9 cubic feet (1.13 m3) hopper capacity
  • Length: 28 ft 4 in (8.64 m)
  • Wingspan: 43 ft 10 in (13.36 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) to top of canopy
  • Wing area: 240 sq ft (22 m2)
  • Max takeoff weight: 5,200 lb (2,359 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 60 US gallons (230 L; 50 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IGO-540 six-cylinder horizontally opposed piston engine, 350 hp (260 kW)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-235 four-cylinder horizontally opposed piston engine, 108 hp (81 kW) powering spraying and dusting gear
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Hartzell Propeller variable-pitch, 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m) diameter

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 150 kn (170 mph, 280 km/h)
  • Stall speed: 40 kn (46 mph, 74 km/h) empty
  • Rate of climb: 350 ft/min (1.8 m/s)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

  • List of agricultural aircraft

References
  1. Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1971). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971-1972. London: Sampson Low Marston & Co., LTD. p. 296. ISBN 0-354-00094-2.
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