Miles & Atwood Racer

Miles & Atwood Racer
Country	USA
Role	Air racing
First flight	Unknow
Built	1

The Miles & Atwood Special is a racing aircraft developed during the interwar period.

Source: Miles & Atwood Racer on Wikipedia

Miles & Atwood Racer Walk Around
Photographers	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	Planes of Fame Museum, Chino
Photos	33

Miles & Atwood Racer 01

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Miles & Atwood Racer 09

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General Characteristics and Role

The Miles & Atwood Special (commonly referred to as the Miles & Atwood Racer) was a single-seat, low-wing racing aircraft developed by Leland Miles and Leon Atwood during the Golden Age of Air Racing in the early 1930s. Its primary role was to compete in the highly popular events of the time, such as the National Air Races in Cleveland, where it sought to win cash prizes and prestigious trophies. The aircraft featured a small, highly streamlined design built for speed, with an open cockpit and a conventional fixed landing gear, characterized by its minimal frontal area to reduce drag.

Property	Typical Value (Miles & Atwood Special)
Type	Air Racing Monoplane
National Origin	United States
Designers	Leland Miles and Leon Atwood
Year Built	Circa 1932
Number Built	1 (plus a modern replica)
Crew	1 (Pilot)
Length	5.11 m (16 ft 9 in)
Wingspan	5.08 m (16 ft 8 in)
Configuration	Low-wing, wire-braced monoplane

Construction and Performance

Engine: 1 x Menasco C-4-S 4-cylinder, air-cooled, inverted inline engine.
Power Output: Approximately 185 hp (138 kW).
Construction: The fuselage and tail surfaces were built from welded steel tubing covered in fabric. The wings used wooden spars and ribs, also covered in fabric.
Maximum Speed: Up to 375 km/h (233 mph).
Racing Speed: Achieved a speed of 332 km/h (206 mph) during a world speed record run for its weight class.
Notable Feature: The fabric covering was attached using a method involving screws and fabric tape, differing from the conventional rib-stitching of the era.

Operational History and Distinction

Debut and Success: The aircraft raced from 1933 to 1937, winning the inaugural Greve Trophy race in 1934 (wearing race number 6). It also set a world speed record for aircraft under 770 lb over a 100 km course at 206 mph.
Race Names: The aircraft was flown with various names, including the plain “Special” and later “Miss Tulsa” (in 1935, wearing race number 1).
Tragedy: The aircraft’s career ended in tragedy during the 1937 National Air Races when its pilot and co-designer, Leland Miles, was fatally injured after a wire fitting on the wing failed.
Legacy: The original aircraft no longer exists, but a flyable replica, built by Bill Turner, appeared in the 1991 movie The Rocketeer, helping to preserve the legacy of this important Golden Age racer.