RAND KR-1

The Taylor Monoplane with a wingspan of almost 22 feet prompted Rand's original concept. Rand ended up with a wing that had a wider chord but spanned only 17 feet, and the airplane weighed 150 pounds less than the Monoplane. Powered by a Volkswagen engine, it can squeeze 32 miles out of a gallon of automotive gas. The structure of the KR-1 combines both conventional and unconventional materials. The ship is basically a wooden box with polystyrene foam to round out the aerodynamic shape; it is covered with 4-ounce Dynel fabric and epoxy resins. The wings are modeled after the airfoil of the British Spitfire. Retractable gear adds to its performance.