Felio SP-2 prototype with shrouded propeller (1931-1933)

[Mark Nankivil]

Greetings All -

Now this is different:

[link no longer active]

Enjoy the Day! Mark

 

[Steve Pace]

That's one I've never seen before.

SP

 

[Maveric]

Yes, it´s totally new for me, but very interesting...

 

[Stargazer]

Has anyone finally found out what it is? I'd love to know!

 

[Kdmoo]

Felio SP-2.


Aerofiles entry:

Felio​

Harold G Felio, Los Angeles CA.

Felio SP-2 [X12211] (Leo Opdyke coll)

Ranger SP-2 1931 = 2pOhwM; 95hp Cirrus in 1934, but 1932 DoC register says Velie. Cantilever-wing creation with an oversize free cowling with offset vanes inside its rim, allegedly to direct air into the propeller blades for increased performance. [X12211].

"In Skyways No. 39 July 1996 on p 60, in the monthly feature ID UNK (Identification Unknown) I found the following text,
referring to the same picture as posted above.
<blockquote>.... the Felio Ranger, Model SP-2, registration
X-12211... was a 2-place monoplane, C/N 1, built in
1931. The original engine was a 65 hp Velie; later (as shown)
it was converted to a 95 hp Cirrus. The owner (and manufacturer?)
was listed in the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce
listing of January 1, 1932, as Harold G. Felio, 3315 W. 17th
St., Los Angeles, CA. The plane was registered on June 5,
1933, to R. L. McCreery, 4751 Alhambra Ave., Los Angeles,
CA. [ A reader] sent a clipping and photo from the April,
1933, Popular Aviation which doesn't identify the plane but
shows it with Carl N. Hall and Frank C. Nixon of Compton,
CA, who applied the "deflector ring or cowl" to the
airplane. They claimed "almost unbelievably increased
thrust, a speed increase from 39 to 140 percent, and greatly
reduced landing speed." There is no indication that the
airplane ever flew with the deflector ring."
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1677756&postcount=3154
</blockquote>

 

[Stargazer]

Thanks Kdmoo!

 

[Stargazer]

Another picture of the SP-2 Ranger:

 

[AeroFranz]

Interesting, but ducted fan theory should show that it might very well increase static thrust but lose its advantages as you increase flight speed (added drag/weight of the cowl).

 

[hesham]

From anther site; Modern Mechanix

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/propeller-ring-raises-planes-speed/

 

[hesham]

From Modern Mechanix 1933.

 

[avion ancien]

Landing it, with the deflector ring in situ, would have been 'interesting'. You'd have to make a three pointer every time!

 

[thanos.massias]

Relevant patent:

US1961214A Aircraft propeller cowling

Inventors​

HALL CARL H

Publication​

US1961214A·1934-06-05

 

[thanos.massias]

Another version of that publicity photo:

https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b9034727f

Title : 1-4-13, canots à Monaco, Villethiou [II, vue de l'hélice du hors-bord] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]
Publication date : 1913