Wittman Chief Oshkosh

Chief Oshkosh
Buster on display at the Air & Space Museum
Role Racing aircraft
National origin United States of America
Designer Steve Wittman
First flight 1931
Introduction 1931




Chief Oshkosh aka Buster is a homebuilt racing plane designed to compete in the 1931 American Cirrus Races.

The aircraft was named after Chief Oshkosh

Development

Steve Wittman has started air racing in 1926 in various aircraft. In March 1931, he designed his own purpose built aircraft in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, "Chief Oshkosh". He was racing in Cleveland by August of the same year. His goal was to keep the plane light so that he could be the first to round a pylon and establish position.

Design

The "Chief Oshkosh" racer was a mid-winged taildragger with undersized wheels and tires without brakes. The original was powered by an American Cirrus engine, the 1932 racer was outfitted with a 115 hp (86 kW) 349 Cubic inch Cirrus Hermes. In 1934, a smaller 16 ft (4.9 m) wing was fitted to the plane. In 1936 the plane was fitted with a Menasco CS-4 363 cubic inch engine and multiple leaf spring gear. The wing was also reduced again to 13 ft (4.0 m). In 1937, a single piece steel landing gear was used, becoming the standard on Cessna aircraft of the future.

In 1947 Chief Oshkosh was rebuilt with Wittman Flying Service pilot Bill Brenannd to meet the new Professional Race Pilots Association midget racing standards. A Continental C-85 engine was installed and the cockpit was moved up one bay for balance. To meet rules, brakes were installed, but they were non-functional. The aircraft also had to be demonstrated in turns up to 9 gs. Brenannd used Wittman's trick of tapping the accelerometer with his knuckles to get the desired reading.[1] The first event was the Goodyear trophy races. "Chief Oshkosh" was renamed after a cartoon character "Buster".[2]

Operational history

After the July 4 race, Buster was given to the Smithsonian. [3][4]

Variants

"Little Bonzo" Wittman DFA

Aircraft on display

"Buster" aka "Chief Oshkosh" resides in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C..[7]

Specifications (Wittman "Chief Oshkosh")

Data from Sport Aviation

General characteristics

Performance


References

  1. Vintage Airplane. March 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. "Wittman Special 20 "Buster"". Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  3. Sport Aviation. November 1958. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. "Wittman Chief Oshkosh Air Racer". Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  5. "SJ Steve Wittman". Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  6. Joshua Stoff. Long Island Aircraft Manufacturers.
  7. Harold Mills. Hangar Sweepings.
  8. "Wittman "Chief Oshkosh"". Retrieved 7 June 2011.

External links

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