Experimental Craft Hydrofoil No. 4 (XCH-4) explained

The Experimental Craft Hydrofoil No. 4 (XCH-4) was a high speed hydrofoil of the United States Navy. In 1947 the Bureau of Ships in association with the Office of Naval Research subsidized the construction of a number of small watercraft to explore several different types of foils and foil control-system configurations. The XCH-4 (sometimes referred to as "The Carl Boat") was designed by John H. Carl and built, in 1953, by Dynamic Developments Inc., a former associate of the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation.^{[1] [2]}

The XCH-4 employed three struts with "ladder" type hydrofoils. The foils were swept back approximately 45 degrees and have considerable dihedral providing a very stable ride even in moderately rough seas. The design eliminated drag inducing water propeller drive systems in favor of aircraft type propellers powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial engines and in 1955 the vessel set a world speed record 78 knots.^{[3] [4]}

See also

• HD-4
• , auxiliary minesweeper (1939–1940)
• , experimental hydrofoil (1957–1962)

Notes and References

1. Walker . C. Lester . Feb 1961 . Ships That Fly on Wings . Popular Mechanics . April 14, 2018 .
2. Armagnac . Alden P.. July 1961 . Seagoing Hydrofoils Do 60 Knots. Popular Science . April 14, 2018 .
3. Book: Palmer . Irwin . Gas Turbine in Hydrofoil Seacraft . ASME 1962 Gas Turbine Power Conference and Exhibit . 978-0-7918-7993-1 . American Society of Mechanical Engineers . 62–GTP–4 . 1–2 . 10.1115/62-GTP-4. 1962 .
4. Harris . Robert B.. June 1958 . Hydrofoil Craft. The Amateur Yacht Research Society . April 14, 2018 .