The Diamond was a British single seat ultralight aircraft, developed by Arthur Luff in the 1980s. It was notable for its radical design.
| Snipe Diamond | |
|---|---|
| Role | Ultralight aircraft |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Snipe Aircraft Developments Ltd |
| Designer | Arthur Luff |
| First flight | 1985 |
| Number built | 1 |
Design and development
Arthur Luff, a former Rolls Royce engineer and an RAF gliding instructor, designed a closed wing aircraft.[1] Originally called the Snipe, it was later termed the Diamond, in acknowledgement of the wings' configuration.[1][2] The aircraft featured two wings, of equal span and chord, with the front wing swept back by 20° and the rear wing swept forward by 20°. The wings were joined at the wingtip, where tip rudders were located. The aircraft had a fully enclosed fuselage, and was equipped with a single engine, powering a tractor propeller, and had a tricycle undercarriage. The aircraft featured three-axis control, with pitch control being by elevators on the rear wing; roll control by ailerons located on the outboard wings; directional control by rudders incorporated into the wingtip fins.
Operational history
The prototype made its maiden flight in 1985.[2] According to Flightline, in its issue dated July–August 1985, an order for 15 aircraft had been received from the Middle East.[1] Since 1985, no further news about the craft has appeared.
Specifications
Data from Ultralight and Microlight Aircraft[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 13 ft 4 in (4.06 m)
- Wingspan: 24 ft (7.3 m)
- Wing area: 132 sq ft (12.3 m2)
- Empty weight: 150 lb (68 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 370 lb (168 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × JPX PUL 425 2 cylinder, 2 stroke, 22 hp (16 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed, 3 ft 4 in (1.02 m) diameter
Performance
- g limits: +5/-3
- Wing loading: 2.80 lb/sq ft (13.7 kg/m2)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era