Backstrom EPB-1 Flying Plank explained

The Backstrom EPB-1 Flying Plank is an American mid-wing, single seat, tailless glider that was designed by Al Backstrom, with assistance from Phil Easley and Jack Powell in 1954 and made available as plans for amateur construction.[1] [2]

Design and development

The Flying Plank was intended to be an aircraft that could be built at home, that would be of minimum size and yet still provide reasonable soaring performance. The prototype Plank featured tip rudders and was used for drag-reduction tests conducted at Mississippi State University before it was retired. The EPB-1 designation indicates the design team's last names.

The EPB-1 is constructed with a wooden structure, with doped aircraft fabric covering. The landing gear is a monowheel, with a nose skid.

The "A" model was described in the plans sold and retained the twin tip rudders of the EPB-1, although some were built with a single fin and rudder assembly attached to the cockpit rear. At least one two-place side-by-side seating version was built in Australia, and another as a motor glider. The standard wingspan is 251NaN1, but versions have been built with spans up to 30.51NaN1.

Operational history

In March 2011 two EPB-1s were still registered in the USA, including the one in the National Soaring Museum.[3]

Variants

EPB-1
  • Initial prototype with dual tip rudders
    EPB-1A
  • Standard model built from plans, also with dual tip rudders
    EPB-1C
  • Model modified by Al Cleave, featuring a centrally-mounted fin and rudder.[4]
    EPB-1H
  • Model modified with a different airfoil, was not successful, dismantled.
    WPB-1 Powered Plank
  • Also known as the Flying Plank II, motor glider version[5] [6]

    Aircraft on display

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Flying Plank EPB-1A Bachstrom (sic) . 21 March 2011 . Activate Media . 2006 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120405061250/http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?PlaneID=104 . 5 April 2012 .
    2. Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 12. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920
    3. Web site: Make / Model Inquiry Results. 21 March 2011. Federal Aviation Administration. March 2011.
    4. http://spirit.eaa.org/apps/magazines/eaa_articles/1965_01_21.pdf, The EPB-1C, Sport Aviation, 1965, January, p. 31
    5. Web site: Backstrom Flying Plank EPB-1 / Backstrom WPB-1 Powered Plank . 2023-06-01 . all-aero.com.
    6. Web site: Make / Model Inquiry Results. 1 June 2023. Federal Aviation Administration. March 2011.
    7. Web site: Sailplanes in Our Collection . 26 February 2011 . . 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110516142717/http://www.soaringmuseum.org/collection.html . 16 May 2011 .

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