The Swee' Pea was a series of three midget aircraft racers designed by Art Chester.[1]

Design and development

The Swee' Pea was a racing aircraft to compete in the new midget racing class championed by race pilot Art Chester. The aircraft was the third design from Chester with a Popeye comic name.

The midget racer was required to have an engine less than 190 cubic inches in displacement at the time. The Swee' Pea shared a similar short, mid-wing taildragger configuration with other midget racers. The aircraft was unique in that it used a V tail configuration and a single cooling air intake through a large hole in the center of the spinner.[2] The Fuselage is welded tube steel with plywood covered wings.

Operational history

The Swee' Pea was introduced at the 1947 National Air Races, but the V-Tail performed poorly at takeoff speed, and was replaced by a conventional tail for the 1948 Miami races. The top speed was reduced with a conventional tail, so the V-Tail was re-installed.

Variants

Swee' Pea

Later Renamed "Sky Baby" - one built

Swee' Pea II

Modified with a Y-tail (similar to the Sonex Waiex). Art Chester died in a crash in this plane at the San Diego Air Races on 24 April 1949. - one built

Wimpy

The Swee' Pea modified with the main gear farther back. This aircraft crashed on 25 July 1948 at Rosemead airfield, due to blanking of the v-tail during a slow manoeuvre. - one built

Specifications (Chester Swee' Pea)

Data from Sport Aviation

General characteristics

• Length: 15 ft 9 in (4.80 m)
• Wingspan: 16 ft 9 in (5.11 m)
• Wing area: 71.3 sq ft (6.62 m²)
• Empty weight: 590 lb (268 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Continental C85 , 85 hp (63 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 160 kn (180 mph, 290 km/h)

See also

• National Air Races

Related development

• Chester Goon
• Chester Jeep

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chester aircraft.