The Smyth Model S Sidewinder is an all-metal, two-seat side-by-side, low-wing
homebuilt aircraft, designed and developed in the
United States.
["Smyth Sidewinder,"](_blank)
April 16, 2010 (Updated January 28, 2016), '' Plane and Pilot,'' retrieved November 23, 2019
Design and development
In 1958 Jerry Smyth began the design of a monoplane sport aircraft, intended to be easy to build and fly as well as stressed to +9g for aerobatics. Construction of the prototype began in January 1967, taking two years to complete. Smyth's first component-built was a hand-carved wooden control stick grip which he said "he built the plane around". Plans and kits for homebuilding were made available.
Constructed of welded steel tubing with aluminum skinning, the Sidewinder has all-aluminum wings and is stressed to ±9g ultimate loading to allow aerobatics. Engines can be fitted with power ratings from (some say 65-125 hp),
weighing up to , enclosed in a fibreglass cowling. A sliding canopy covers the cockpit, the landing gear uses some landing gear components from the
Wittman Tailwind
The Wittman W-8 Tailwind is a popular two-seat light aircraft for homebuilding. It is a high-wing, braced cabin monoplane of taildragger configuration. It is constructed with a steel tubing fuselage, wood wings, and fabric covering. It offers exc ...
and conventional controls are fitted but with an all-flying tailplane for pitch control. An unusual under-fuselage spoiler is used for approach control., The original design shared the same windscreen as a Thorp T-18.
The prototype attended the 1969
Experimental Aircraft Association convention at
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a city in Winnebago County, Illinois, located in the far northern part of the state. Situated on the banks of the Rock River, Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County (a small portion of the city is located in Ogle County). ...
, winning the Outstanding Design Award.
Currently the rights to the Smyth Sidewinder are held by EU-Wish, which continues to market the design. 290 sets of plans had been sold by 1972, with at least 46 examples registered and flying.
Search for Aircraft by Model
/ref>
Specifications
See also
References
External links
{{commons category
1960s United States sport aircraft
Homebuilt aircraft
Low-wing aircraft
Single-engined tractor aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1969