RF-1
Role	Experimental aircraft Type of aircraft
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Rhein Flugzeugbau GmbH
Designer	Hanno Fischer
First flight	15 August 1960
Number built	1

The Rhein-Flugzeugbau RF-1 was a prototype channel wing aircraft.

Design and development

The RF-1 is a modification of the channel wing concept, that uses a single channel and propeller to eliminate the asymmetrical lift issues with a twin channel wing design. The "channel" is an airfoil-shaped section along the lower arc of the rearward propeller that produces additional lift from the propwash. The RF-1's propeller was completely shrouded, creating a hybrid ducted propeller.^[1] Twin engine redundancy is maintained with multiple engines driving a central propeller with freewheeling clutches to allow for an engine failure.^[2]

The aircraft had the unique shape to facilitate a channel wing design. The fuselage was composed of welded steel tubing with a composite skin. The landing gear was electrically retractable.

Operational history

The prototype was built at Krefeld/Mönchengladbach and was only flown once.^[3]

Variants

RF-1 V1

The original prototype

RF-1 V2

A modified prototype that did not go into production. Changes included 275 hp (205 kW) engines.

Specifications (Rhein-Flugzeugbau RF-1)

Data from Flight

General characteristics

• Capacity: 6
• Length: 13.08 m (42 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 14.1 m (46 ft 3 in)
• Height: 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 32.53 m² (350.2 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,800 kg (3,968 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 2,700 kg (5,952 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 360
• Powerplant: 2 × Lycoming O-540-A1A , 190 kW (250 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 290 km/h (180 mph, 160 kn)
• Cruise speed: 260 km/h (160 mph, 140 kn)
• Range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 6,200 m (20,300 ft)