Fairchild F-46

The Fairchild F-46, also known as the Duramold Aircraft Corporation F-46 A and Clark GA-46 , is a light aircraft that was built using the Duramold process, which involves using pressure to form wood with resin. Only one aircraft was produced, it was a single engine aircraft that first flew in May 1937. The Duramold process was later used on the Hughes H-4 Hercules.
The aircraft was re-engined with the Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior in 1947.

Design

The Model 46 is a low-wing, cabin aircraft, with conventional landing gear and structures made using Duramold processes. The fuselage is constructed of two halves bonded together. The wings use wooden spars with plywood covering. The control surfaces use aluminum frames with aircraft fabric covering. A fuel tank was mounted in each wing.

Operational history

In 1947 the Model 46 prototype was re-engined with a Pratt & Whitney R-985 and flown for ten years.