PAYNE “KNIGHT TWISTER IMPERIAL”
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 900-1,100. Empty wt. 694. Fuel capacity 35. Wingspan 17′. Length 16’1″. Engine 140-hp Lycoming. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 170. Cruise mph 120. Stall mph 50. Climb rate…
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| STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 900-1,100. Empty wt. 694. Fuel capacity 35. Wingspan 17'. Length 16'1". Engine 140-hp Lycoming. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 170. Cruise mph 120. Stall mph 50. Climb rate 1,000. Takeoff run 475. Landing roll 800. Range 680. |
The Knight Twister Imperial is actually a Knight Twister upgraded to race in the Sport Biplane class. Piloted by Don Fairbanks, it won the Silver Biplane Race at Reno in 1971. The differences in the Imperial version were a redesigned wing section and an increase in wingspan, tailplane span, and fuel capacity. The fuel is carried in two tanks, a 21-gallon upper and a 15-gallon bottom. The wings are fabric-covered wood structures, and the fuselage is a fabric-covered steel-tube truss structure with wood stringers. Plans are now sold by Steen Aero Lab.
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