Loose Special

The Loose Special, also called the Townsend A-1 Special, the Loose-Siem Special and the Townsend Special is a small air racer developed for the Thompson Trophy races.

Design

The Loose Special is a small single seat racer with conventional landing gear and a cable-braced mid-wing. The engine was replaced with an Continental to compete in the Formula [One Air Racing|Formula One air races].

Operational history

The Loose Special participated in 1933, 1935 and 1938 air races. In the 1948 Goodyear Formula One Air Races pilot Earl Ortman placed fourth at a speed of.