CL-43 STOL
The CL-43 STOL aircraft design proposal of early 1954 was among the first early V/STOL aircraft configurations conceived, and seriously studied, by engineers and designers at Canadair Limited.
The initial design study of this dual-engined, twin-boom, Logistics Supply aircraft, with automatic leading edge slats and full span double slotted flaps, revealed the importance of interconnected large diameter propellers for attainment of good STOL performance. These features would permit the CL-43 to clear a 15.2 m (50.0 ft) obstacle within 260 m (850 ft) following takeoff, and were paramount in the future development of the subsequent Canadair tilt-wing V/STOL, and later, CL-204 and CL-215 amphibious aircraft design efforts.
Conceived for use as basic air transportation in the north – a role to be assumed successfully later by the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, the CL-43 aircraft was originally offered in a basic land plane configuration. It was to be readily convertible to either float plane or ski plane variants in order to perform its primary role of logistical support. In a secondary role, it was proposed for use as an air ambulance, personnel, paratroop, or vehicle transport.
Approximating the size of the venerable Douglas DC-3, this new aircraft design, as offered, could not possibly meet the low cost of readily available, war surplus, Douglas C-47 military transports, then flooding the market and being converted - over 400 by Canadair alone - to fill the needs of commercial airlines. In the face of such a daunting marketing obstacle the design of the CL-43 was soon shelved.
CL-43 Specifications:
Power was supplied by two 600 horsepower Pratt & Whitney (P&W) Wasp R-1340 engines driving 3.6 m (12.0 ft) diameter Hamilton Standard 3-bladed propellers. The CL-43 had a projected wingspan of 25.9 m (85.0 ft), height of 4.6 m (15.0 ft), length of 15.0 m (49.25 ft), and approximate gross weight of 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs).
An alternative proposed powerplant configuration employed the use of shrouded propellers. Adjustable exhaust ducts would divert the airflow over the flaps and tail control surfaces, thereby permitting additional lift and control during low speed STOL handling.
