White Dwarf (dirigible)
| White Dwarf | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Human powered dirigible |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | Watson, Allen |
The White Dwarf is a human-powered dirigible built in 1984 that set several world records.
Development
[edit]The White Dwarf was commissioned and funded by comedian Gallagher, whose interest in airships was sparked by a radio-controlled flying watermelon prop he used in his stage act.[1] It was constructed by Bill Watson, who was part of the team that built the Gossamer Albatross human-powered craft.[2]
Design
[edit]The dirigible features a teardrop-shaped lift bag. The aluminum fuselage is a truss design with a single pilot seat on top with a chain-driven pusher propeller, 64 inches in length, positioned in front of a rudder. It weighs 150 lb (68 kg).[3][1]
Operational history
[edit]The White Dwarf set several world records with pilot (and engine) Bryan Allen. It was flown a distance of 58.08 mi (93 km) in 8 hours and 50 minutes.[4]
Specifications (White Dwarf)
[edit]Data from Air & Space
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 45 ft (14 m)
- Powerplant: 1 × Bryan Allen Human, .5 hp (0.37 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed
Performance
- g limits: 5 g
References
[edit]- ^ a b Cardoso, Bill (September 28, 1984). "Comic has gas of time pedaling White Dwarf". UPI.
- ^ Medearis, John (February 27, 1990). "Radio-Controlled Blimp Uses Stealth Technology at 28 M.P.H." Los Angeles Times.
- ^ [1] Archived May 25, 2015, at the Wayback Machine The White Dwarf Flies Again
- ^ Sugar, James & Stephan Wilkinson (June 1986). "Who Is Bryan Allen?". Air and Space Magazine: 53.