Pitcairn PA-1 Fleetwing

The Pitcairn PA-1 Fleetwing is the first biplane designed for air racing and commercial airmail service by Pitcairn Aircraft Company.

Design

The Fleetwing biplane featured three cockpits capable carrying four revenue sightseeing passengers. The fuselage used steel tubing with fabric covering. The squarish fuselage featured a slanted radiator on the front of the lower cowling

Operational history

The prototype PA-1 crashed after a flight with the control cables rigged backwards. A second aircraft was built shortly afterward.