The Baker MB-1 was a 45 degree
delta wing
A delta wing is a wing shaped in the form of a triangle. It is named for its similarity in shape to the Greek uppercase letter delta (letter), delta (Δ).
Although long studied, the delta wing did not find significant practical applications unti ...
ed
experimental aircraft
An experimental aircraft is an aircraft intended for testing new aerospace technologies and design concepts.
The term ''research aircraft'' or '' testbed aircraft'', by contrast, generally denotes aircraft modified to perform scientific studies, ...
designed to maximize use of its engine and experiment with delta-winged design.
[
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Design and development
The prototype was built around the remains of a wrecked Cessna 140
The Cessna 120, 140, and 140A, are single-engine, two-seat, conventional landing gear (tailwheel), light general aviation aircraft that were first produced in 1946, immediately following the end of World War II. Production ended in 1951, and ...
using its engine, propeller, and wheels.[ The ]landing gear
Landing gear is the undercarriage of an aircraft or spacecraft that is used for taxiing, takeoff or landing. For aircraft, it is generally needed for all three of these. It was also formerly called ''alighting gear'' by some manufacturers, s ...
was fashioned from truck springs. The controls were conventional with the elevator in the center of the delta's trailing edge
The trailing edge of an aerodynamic surface such as a wing is its rear edge, where the airflow separated by the leading edge meets.Crane, Dale: ''Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition'', page 521. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. ...
and ailerons
An aileron (French for "little wing" or "fin") is a hinged flight control surface usually forming part of the trailing edge of each wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. Ailerons are used in pairs to control the aircraft in roll (or movement around ...
outboard operated by push-pull tubes.[ Plans for the aircraft were available for homebuilt construction.][
]
Operational history
The aircraft first flew in 1960. It was destroyed on July 29, 1976, when Baker was flying the Delta Kitten from Shelby, Ohio to Mansfield, Ohio. It was reported that the Delta Kitten sputtered, dipped, and crashed, killing Baker.[
]
Specifications
See also
References
{{Reflist, refs=
[{{cite web , editor=K.O. Eckland , title=American airplanes: Ba – Bl , url=http://aerofiles.com/_ba.html , website=Aerofiles , publisher= , access-date=April 27, 2025 , language=EN]
[{{cite journal , title= itle not known, journal=Air Trails , date=Winter 1971, page=80 , publisher=Street & Smith , location=New York, NY , language=en]
[{{cite news , date=July 30, 1976 , title=Killed on Routine Flight – Air Race Pilot Crashes , work=News Journal , location=Mansfield, Ohio , page=1 , ref=none]
[{{cite journal , title= itle not knownjournal=Sport Aviation , date=July 1960 , publisher=EAA]
[{{cite journal , last=Baker , first=Marion , journal=Sport Aviation , title=The Story Of My Delta-Winged Airplane , pages=4–5 , publisher=EAA , date=January 1962]
Homebuilt aircraft
Delta Kitten
Single-engined tractor aircraft
Tailless delta-wing aircraft
1960s United States experimental aircraft
Low-wing aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1960