Schweizer 1-20 Homepage

NX-91840 News: First flight, December 3, 2004!!!!

Takeoff Video:

Landing Video

NX 91840, Then and Now:

Aug, 1946	Dec, 2004

NX-91840 Restoration:

Dec, 3, 2004 - Restoration complete, first flight!

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Oct, 24, 2004 - Final assembly check.

Sept 6, 2004

May 12, 2004, Fuselage painting completed!  (All colors, trim and markings were taken from photos and documents from the 1940's).

April 25, 2004, Fuselage gets covered!

November 8, 2003; Wings up through base color:

September 21, 2003;  Rib stitching & new canopy frame completed:

(click for a larger image.)

September 14, 2003 photos:

(click for a larger image.)

August 2003 photos:

(click for a larger image.)

Summary of work done summer 2004 (two steps forward, another backward):

• Fuselage & tail was completed, covered & assembled

• Canopy frame was fabricated

• Instruments were installed

• A fundamental flaw was discovered in the materials used to cover the wings

• Wings were stripped of fabric

• Wings are being recovered.

Summary of work done summer 2003 (one step forward, two backward):

• Project was assembled and rigging was checked in March 2003.

• Plywood sheeting on the wing was removed and replaced in order to obtain correct washout.

• 2 coats of epoxy varnish were brushed on the wings.

• Epoxy varnish turned out to be defected and was attacked by dope.  Epoxy varnish was removed with acetone, sandpaper, scotchbrite and 2 weeks of sanding.

• 2 coats of new, fresh, epoxy varnish were sprayed on the wing.

• Covering finally began in late August

Check out the March 2003 photos! :

(click for a larger image.)

Summary of the work done to date:

• Both wings were rebuilt from scratch including new spars and ribs.
• All Aileron pushrods had to be rebuilt from scratch..
• All Spoiler hardware and rigging had to be re-build from scratch.
• Much of the lower fuselage and tail was rebuilt due to corroded tubes.
• Seats and floorboards were rebuilt from scratch.
• Main wing struts were replaced due to corrosion.

We have the momentum and will fly soon!!!!!!

	Schweizer 1-20 Specifications

	Span			43 ft.
	Area			182 sq. ft.
	Aspect ratio		10.15
	Airfoil			NACA 43012A 
	Empty weight		400 lbs.
	Payload			230 lbs.
	Gross weight		630 lbs.
	Wing loading		3.5 lbs./sq. ft. 
	Max L/D			18.5
	Min. sink rate		3 fps
	Min sink rate speed	35 mph
	Max L/D speed		42 mph
	Max allowable speed	75 mph
	6 fps sink speed	60 mph
	No. active in U.S	3

A history of the 1-19 & 1-20

Photo of a Schweizer 1-19

There are 3 Schweizer 1-20's in existence:

• NX-91840, s/n 1, the Schweizer factory prototype 1-20.
• N2708A, s/n 30a, built as a 1-20 from a 1-19 kit.
• N37HH s/n 37, converted to a 1-20 from a 1-19.

The prototype 1-20, NX-91840, is currently under restoration by Guy Byars & Jim Miceli in Cincinnati OH.

• The 1-20 Restoration Begins (Article in Summer '94 Bungee Cord)
• Restoration Update (Article in Spring '95 Bungee Cord)

This page is being maintained and updated by Guy Byars: