Snipe Diamond

The Diamond was a British single seat ultralight aircraft, developed by Arthur Luff in the 1980s. It was notable for its radical design.

Snipe Diamond
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Snipe Aircraft Developments Ltd
Designer Arthur Luff
First flight 1985
Number built 1

Design and development

Arthur Luff, a former Rolls Royce engineer and an RAF gliding instructor, designed a closed wing aircraft.[1] Originally called the Snipe, it was later termed the Diamond, in acknowledgement of the wings' configuration.[1][2] The aircraft featured two wings, of equal span and chord, with the front wing swept back by 20° and the rear wing swept forward by 20°. The wings were joined at the wingtip, where tip rudders were located. The aircraft had a fully enclosed fuselage, and was equipped with a single engine, powering a tractor propeller, and had a tricycle undercarriage. The aircraft featured three-axis control, with pitch control being by elevators on the rear wing; roll control by ailerons located on the outboard wings; directional control by rudders incorporated into the wingtip fins.

Operational history

The prototype made its maiden flight in 1985.[2] According to Flightline, in its issue dated July–August 1985, an order for 15 aircraft had been received from the Middle East.[1] Since 1985, no further news about the craft has appeared.

Specifications

Data from Ultralight and Microlight Aircraft[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 13 ft 4 in (4.06 m)
  • Wingspan: 24 ft (7.3 m)
  • Wing area: 132 sq ft (12.3 m2)
  • Empty weight: 150 lb (68 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 370 lb (168 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × JPX PUL 425 2 cylinder, 2 stroke, 22 hp (16 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed, 3 ft 4 in (1.02 m) diameter

Performance

  • g limits: +5/-3
  • Wing loading: 2.80 lb/sq ft (13.7 kg/m2)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. Burr, Norman, ed. (July–August 1985). "Snipe Snippet" (PDF). Flightline. Deddington, Oxford, UK: British Microlight Aircraft Association. p. 8. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  2. Berger, Alain-Yves; Burr, Norman (1985). Ultralight and Microlight Aircraft (2nd ed.). Yeovil, Somerset: Haynes Publishing Group. pp. 216–217. ISBN 0-85429-481-3.
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