W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters
PIGEON-FRASER PURSUIT USA
At a time when the biplane configuration had become the norm for single-seat fighting aircraft, George N Albree designed a single-seat shoulder-wing monoplane intended for use as a fighting scout. Two prototypes were delivered to the US Army Signal Corps by the Pigeon Hollow Spar Company in September 1917. The aircraft was of wooden construction and powered by a 100 hp Gnome rotary engine. One of the two prototypes was used for static testing and the second was test flown on behalf of the Signal Corps. The aircraft was intended to be fitted with a single machine gun, but no armament was ever provided and the Signal Corps considered the aircraft both unreliable and too slow. Consequently, no series production was undertaken.
Max speed, 103 mph (166 km/h).
Loaded weight, 1,250 lb (567 kg).
Span, 37 ft 11 in (11,56 m).
Length, 24 ft 0 in (7,31m).
Форум Breguet's Aircraft Challenge
The Pigeon-Fraser was the first dedicated pursuit airplane contracted for by the United States Government. It was designed by George N. Albree and manufactured by the Pigeon Hollow Spar Company of East Boston. The first two aircraft were for delivery to the signal corp although they were not accepted after testing at McCook Field. One of which was a structural test article that was tested to destruction. The other is said to have crashed and burned on it's maiden flight in December 1917, killing the pilot. A third nearly complete aircraft was put into storage at the 'Pigeon Hollow Spar Company' after the contract was canceled. It was considered "too old-fashioned, unreliable, and slow" at the time and was shelved; however as late as 1978 George Albree insisted that he was a victim of an unfair consspiracy.
Notable design features included a flat bottomed airfoil and an all moving tail. Instead of a hinged the elevator, the entire aft fuselage was hinged alowing it to deflect up and down to control pitch. The third and only remaining aircraft is on display at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.
