The Swee' Pea was a series of three midget aircraft racers designed by Art Chester.[1]
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.
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.
The Swee' Pea (now Sky Baby) was acquired by the Spirit of Flight Foundation museum in Nampa, ID and is currently on display with other Art Chester artifacts and photos.