Arrow Model F

Model F
Role	Recreational aircraft
Manufacturer	Arrow Aircraft and Motor Corporation
First flight	1934
Number built	103

The Arrow Model F or the Arrow Sport V-8 was a two-seat low-wing braced monoplane aircraft built in the United States between 1934 and 1938. It was built originally to a request by the US Bureau of Air Commerce to investigate the feasibility of using automobile engines to power aircraft. Accordingly, the Model F was fitted with a modified Ford V8 engine. Like the Arrow Sport before it, the Model F seated its pilot and passenger side-by-side in an open cockpit and was marketed for $1500.^[1]

A preserved example is on display at San Francisco International Airport.

Development

The Arrow Sport F was specifically built to accommodate the low-cost, yet heavy Arrow F V-8 engine, an aircraft modification of the Ford V-8. The engine was designed by Ford Engineer David E. Anderson with an aluminum oil pan, aluminum cylnders, and a 2:1 gear reduction to drive the prop at reasonable rpm ranges. The engine weighed 402 lbs for 85 hp vrs 182 lbs for an equivalent Continental aircraft engine.^[2]

Variants

• Arrow Sport F Master – Open cockpit
• Arrow Sport F Coupe – Closed cockpit variant ^[3]
• Arrow Sport F De Lux Coupe – Closed cockpit with advanced instruments.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Capacity: 1 passenger
• Length: 21 ft 4 in (6.5 m)
• Wingspan: 36 ft 7 in (11.15 m)
• Empty weight: 1172 lb ( kg)
• Gross weight: 1675 lb ( kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × converted Ford V-8 automobile engine, 82 hp (61 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 100 mph (160 km/h)
• Range: 300 miles (480 km)
• Service ceiling: 12000 ft ( m)

References

1. "Arrow Sport F". Retrieved 5 May 2011.
2. Sport Aviation. 5 May 1958. Missing or empty |title= (help)
3. Air Trails: 24. Summer 1971. Missing or empty |title= (help)

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 81.

External links

• aerofiles.com

See also