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Serial 506, N34922, CF-IDB/CF-VFA Manufactured: 1946 Originally powered by a 25 hp Nelson 4 cylinder engine (retractable) Max speed 50 mph (originally 70 mph with power) Empty weight: 580 lbs. Gross weight: 580 lbs. Span: 47' 4" Height: 6' 10" Length: 20' 4" Once owned by Peter Bowers, well known designer, historian and glider enthusiast, the aircraft was sold to Airplane Supply Centre in 1956, by which time it's engine had been removed and it was converted to a sailplane and later sold to Val Hinch of Victoria. Val carried out necessary work to license the aircraft and flew it on Vancouver Island in the early 1960's. It was then placed in storage, and finally donated to CMF in 1983 by Val Hinch. It is one of less than 10 built and of 2 left in the world. In recent years it was on loan for display at the B.C. Transportation Museum in Cloverdale, British Columbia. General Information The Dragonfly was the first auxiliary-powered glider to be produced in the U.S. A development of the Baby Albatross in 1945, the first version was called the Bumblebee. It featured 2-place, side-by-side seating, retractable tricycle landing gear and a Nelson engine. While the concept was good, the airplane never achieved real success, partly because it didn't perform well, partly because Nelson took his engine and left the partnership, and partly because the beautiful wooden fuselage pod, made up of layers of mahogany was very labour intensive and thus very expensive. Some of them have had the engine removed, converting them to pure sailplanes. Photo: Museum archive | |
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