Coates
James R. Coates
Contents
History
James Ralph Coates was born on 16 July 1916 in Richmond, Yorks. He served as a Flying Officer in the RAFVR, and was awarded the DFC. While with the RAFVR, he learned to fly on a Tiger Moth with Marshalls Flying School, gaining his Royal Aero Club Aviators Certificate No. 22287 on 7 January 1947. Having previously built Luton Minor G-AMAW in 1950, Coates designed and built the Swalesong in 1962.
James Ralph Coates died on 15 May 1987 in Hitchen, Herts.
Company References
- British Private Aircraft 1946-1970, Volume 2, Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume (Mushroom Model Publications, 2013)
Project Data
| Project No | Type No | Name | Alternative Name(s) | Year | Spec (Requirement) | Status | Qty | Description | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA.I | Luton Minor | See Luton Minor | |||||||
| SA.II | Swalesong | 1978 | Proto | 1 | 2S, 1E light aircraft | 1, 2, 3 | |||
| SA.III | Swalesong | 1978 | Proto | 1 | 2S, 1E light aircraft | 2 | |||
Project References
- British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 2, A.J. Jackson (Putnam, 2nd Ed., 1973)
- British Private Aircraft 1946-1970, Volume 2, Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume (Mushroom Model Publications, 2013)
- British Homebuilt Aircraft since 1920, Ken Ellis (Merseyside Aviation Society, 1st Ed. 1975, 2nd Ed. 1979)
Production Details and Type Description
SA.II Swalesong
Low-wing cantilever monoplane with a fixed tricycle undercarriage, of wooden (spruce with plywood skin) construction. The three piece cantilever wing featured a cranked leading edge, a curved trailing edge over the length of the ailerons, and was fitted with Frise ailerons and trailing edge slotted flaps. The fuselage was a semi-monocoque structure. Pilot and passenger sat side-by-side in an enclosed cockpit, originally with access via a front hinged window on either side, but eventually replaced by a rearward sliding hood. One 90 h.p. Continental PC60 Ground Power Unit converted to Continental C90 standard.
Low-wing cantilever monoplane with a fixed tricycle undercarriage, of wooden (spruce with plywood skin) construction. The three piece cantilever wing featured a cranked leading edge, a curved trailing edge over the length of the ailerons, and was fitted with Frise ailerons and trailing edge slotted flaps. The fuselage was a semi-monocoque structure. Pilot and passenger sat side-by-side in an enclosed cockpit, originally with access via a front hinged window on either side, but eventually replaced by a rearward sliding hood. One 90 h.p. Continental PC60 Ground Power Unit converted to Continental C90 standard.
| SA.II Swalesong Specification | |||||||||
| Span | Length | Height | Wing Area | Empty Wt | Max AUW | Cruise Speed | Maximum Speed | Range | Service Ceiling |
| 26 ft 5 in | 19 ft | 7 ft 3 in | 120 sq ft | 640 lb | 1150 lb | 95 mph/ 83 kn | 125 mph/ 109 kn | 450 mi | |
| 8.05 m | 5.79 m | 2.21 m | 11.15 m2 | 290 kg | 522 kg | 153 kph | 201 kph | 724 km | |
One aircraft only : G-AYDV, c/n PFA/1353. To James Ralph Coates, Hitchen. Built in Hitchin, and first flew from Panshanger Aerodrome on 2 September 1973
SA.III Swalesong
A simplified version of the Swalesong S.A.II, designed for homebuilding, which could be powered by engines of 85–108 hp. tained. Changes Include a fuselage uof more rounded form, a simplified wing of constant chord, and a vertical tail unit of reduced height. All control surfaces were mass and aerodynamically balanced. The prototype was built in all-wood, but it was proposed some parts would be changed to metal or structural foam.
A simplified version of the Swalesong S.A.II, designed for homebuilding, which could be powered by engines of 85–108 hp. tained. Changes Include a fuselage uof more rounded form, a simplified wing of constant chord, and a vertical tail unit of reduced height. All control surfaces were mass and aerodynamically balanced. The prototype was built in all-wood, but it was proposed some parts would be changed to metal or structural foam.
| SA.III Swalesong Specification | |||||||||
| Span | Length | Height | Wing Area | Empty Wt | Max AUW | Cruise Speed | Maximum Speed | Range | Service Ceiling |
| 25 ft | 18 ft 6 in | 6 ft 10 in | 112 sq ft | 700 lb | 1200 lb | 110 mph/ 96 kn | 150 mph/ 130 kn | 500 mi | |
| 7.62 m | 5.64 m | 2.08 m | 10.41 m2 | 318 kg | 544 kg | 177 kph | 241 kph | 805 km | |
One aircraft only : G-BAAH, c/n PFA/1590 / SA.III. To James Ralph Coates, Hitchen.
Total Coates Production2