Nesmith Cougar
| {{Infobox Aircraft Begin
|name=Nesmith Cougar |image=Nesmith Cougar.jpg |caption= }}{{Infobox Aircraft Type |type=Recreational aircraft |manufacturer=Homebuilt |designer=Bob Nesmith |first flight=1957 |introduced=1957 |retired= |status= |produced= | unit cost=approximately $2750 to build in 1971{{cite journal|journal=Air Trails|date=Winter 1971|title=The true cost of building your own plane|author=Leo J. Kohn|page=63}} |variants with their own articles=Eaves Cougar 1 }} |
The Nesmith Cougar is a light aircraft that was developed in the United States in the 1950s and marketed for homebuilding.{{cite journal|journal=Popular Science|date=June 1970|title=All these planes you can build from plans|page=99}}
Development
The design, by Robert Nesmith,{{Cite web |last=www.aircraftspruce.com |title=Nesmith Cougar - Two- Place |url=https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/kitspages/nesmith.php |access-date=2022-08-22 |website=Aircraft Spruce |language=en-us}} is a conventional high-wing, strut-braced monoplane with fixed tailwheel undercarriage. The pilot and a single passenger were seated side by side. The fuselage and empennage were of welded steel-tube construction, while the wings were of wood, and the whole aircraft was fabric-covered. Some later aircraft were fitted with a tricycle undercarriage.
File:Nesmith Cougar N9092R Opa Locka 08.02.71 edited-3.jpg
The original Cougar design was marketed by Nesmith himself. His intent was to market a low-cost aircraft for homebuilders. He also used the aircraft as a troubled youth project to encourage teens to work together toward a goal.{{cite journal|journal=Experimenter|date=March 1957|author=Micheal Nesmith}} When a modified Cougar won an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) design competition in 1963, that organization took over selling plans. Rights to the design were eventually purchased by Acro Sport.
The aircraft shape was influenced by the Beechcraft Staggerwing and Wittman Tailwind. The name came from the college of Nesmith's daughter, the University of Houston, whose athletic mascot is a cougar.{{cite journal|journal=Experimenter|date=March 1957|author=Micheal Nesmith}}
Variants
;Nesmith M1 Cougar
:The original design for home building. Powered by 108hp Lycoming.{{cite journal|journal=Flying Magazine|date=November 1960|title=EAA Fly-In|page=37}}
;Nesmith Cougar Comet
:Cougar modified with a 125hp Lycoming O-290D.
;Nesmith Chigger & Landoll's Skydoll{{cite journal|journal=Air Progress|date=Winter 1969|page=7}}
:One example was built with folding wings and Culver Cadet landing gear, called the "Chigger". Another example built with folding wings with automatic control latching. Both aircraft are capable of being towed backwards behind a car.{{cite journal|journal=Sport Aviation|date= December 1958}}
Specifications (typical)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1961–62{{Harvnb|Taylor|1961|p=292}}
|prime units?=imp
|genhide=
|crew=1
|capacity=1 passenger
|length m=
|length ft=18
|length in=11
|span m=
|span ft=20
|span in=6
|height m=
|height ft=5
|height in=6
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=82.5
|aspect ratio=5.16:1
|airfoil=NACA 4309 (modified)
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=624
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=1250
|fuel capacity={{convert|25|USgal|impgal L|abbr=on}}
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Lycoming O-235
|eng1 type=air-cooled flat-four engine
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=115
|prop blade number=
|prop name=
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|perfhide=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=195
|max speed kts=
|max speed mach=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=155
|cruise speed note=(econ. cruise)
|stall speed mph=53
|range km=
|range miles=750
|range nmi=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=13000
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=1300
|more performance=*Takeoff distance to 50 ft (15 m): {{convert|1100|ft|m|abbr=on}}
- Landing distance from 50 ft (15 m): {{convert|1000|ft|m|-1|abbr=on}}
|avionics=
}}
See also
{{aircontent
|related=
|similar aircraft=
- Bede BD-4
- Wittman Tailwind
- Wittman Buttercup
- Szaraz SDS-1A Daphne
- Hanson Woodwind
- Scott Ol' Ironsides
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{commons category|Nesmith Cougar}}
- {{cite book|last=Taylor|first=John W. R.|title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62|year=1961|publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Company|location=London|authorlink=John W. R. Taylor }}
- {{cite book|last=Taylor|first=Michael J. H.|title=Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation|year=1989|publisher=Studio Editions|location=London|pages=347}}
- {{cite book|title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1977-78|publisher=Jane's Yearbooks|location=London|pages=538}}
Category:1950s United States sport aircraft