SMITH “MINIPLANE”€

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Smith Miniplane is a popular homebuilt biplane, primarily appealing for its compact size, straightforward construction, and classic open-cockpit experience.
  • Its construction features a conventional welded steel tubing fuselage with wooden stringers, and wings made from spruce spars and ribs.
  • The plane is versatile in engine choice, accommodating 65-85 hp Continental or 100-125 hp Lycoming engines, contributing to a top speed of 130 mph and a range of 275 miles.
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STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,000. Empty wt. 616. Fuel capacity 17. Wingspan 17′. Length 15’3″. Engine 65- to 85-hp, Continental or 100- to 125-hp Lycoming.
PERFORMANCE: Top mph 130. Cruise mph 122. Stall mph 56. Climb rate 1,600. Ceiling 13,000. Takeoff run 375. Landing roll 500. Range 275.

The primary appeals of the Smith Miniplane are its small-size construction simplicity and open-cockpit romance, which is a combination that not all homebuilt biplanes can offer. The fuselage framework is a conventional truss structure of welded steel tubing, faired to shape with wooden stringers. As on most similar designs, the vertical stabilizer is welded up as part of the rear fuselage structure. The wings are made from spruce spars and ribs. Several engines can provide the power: 65- to 85-hp Continentals or 100- to 125-hp Lycomings.

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