- published: 04 Aug 2016
- views: 805
The Fairchild F-46, also known as the Duramold Aircraft Corporation F-46 A, is a light aircraft that was built using the Duramold process, later used on the Spruce Goose.
The F-46 was the first aircraft to use the Duramold process developed by Virginius E. Clark employing heat, pressure, plastics and wood to make complex structures in less time than could be done with aluminum construction. Fairchild created its own Duramold branch to use the technology for making structures.
The Model 46 is a low-wing, cabin aircraft, with conventional landing gear and structures made using Duramold processes. The fuselage is constructed of two halves bonded together. The wings use wooden spars with plywood covering. The control surfaces use aluminum frames with aircraft fabric covering. A 50 U.S. gallons (190 L; 42 imp gal) fuel tank was mounted in each wing.
In 1947 the Model 46 prototype was re-engined with a Pratt & Whitney R-985 and flown for ten years.
Fairchild may refer to: