Verville Verville-Sperry Racer / R-3

Flight, October 1922

THE 1922 PULITZER TROPHY RACE

The Verville-Sperry Racers. - The Verville-Sperry machine two of which were entered by the Army, is also an "underslung" cantilever monoplane, designed by Alfred V. Verville of McCook Field, the builders being the Sperry Aircraft Co., of Farmingdale, L.I. Amongst the most interesting features are a retractable wide-track landing gear, with the wheels so arranged that they extend out under the wings, and fold up under the latter when the machine is in flight. What is claimed to be an absolutely unique feature is a shock-absorbing wheel, the axle or hub of which is embedded in rubber. The fuselage and tail surfaces are constructed completely of steel tubing, and the tail plane is adjustable. Another feature is the shock-absorbing engine mounting, the engine bolts being embedded in rubber spools, so that much of the vibration when the engine is running on full throttle is eliminated. The wings are double cambered, and of wood construction, with box spars, and fabric covered; the leading edge is reinforced with veneer. The forward half of the fuselage is covered with aluminium, and the rest with fabric. A Wright racing model H.3, 380 h.p. engine is fitted. Characteristics: Span, 32 ft. 4 ins.; length, 22 ft.; chord, 5 ft.; total wing area, 150 sq. ft.; weight (laden), 2,225 lbs.; loading/h.p., 5-9 lbs.; loading/sq. ft., 15 lbs.; speed range, 67-190 m.p.h.

THE PULITZER TROPHY RACE: One of the three monoplanes entered by the U.S. Army Air Service. The Verville-Sperry cantilever, 380 h.p. H3 Wright (racing model).

INTERESTING "ST.LOUIS" MACHINE: We show one of the many types of machines that took part in the 1923 St. Louis Air Races. The Verville-Sperry cantilever monoplane, 500 h.p. Curtiss D.12 special engine, which was entered by the U.S. Army in the Pulitzer Race.

THE DAYTON INTERNATIONAL AIR RACES. The principal event of this big American three-day aviation meeting was the speed contest for the Pulitzer Trophy. Above is a front view of the 1922 Verville-Sperry (500 h.p. Curtiss D-12) cantilever monoplane which won this year's race with a speed of 215-72 m.p.h.