Buhl Bull Pup

The Buhl LA-1 Bull Pup was a light sports airplane developed in the United States in 1930. It was a mid-wing wire-braced monoplane with fixed tailskid undercarriage and an open cockpit for the pilot. Buhl developed the Bull Pup as a cheap aircraft through which the company hoped to remain in business as the onset of the Great Depression was felt. However, as the economic situation worsened, it became evident that there was no demand for even such a basic aircraft; when production ceased in 1932, all aircraft still in stock were sold off at half price as the company folded.

Variants

LA-1 Bull Pup
LA-1A Bull Pup – version for competition flying with 28 ft wingspan
LA-1B Bull Pup – version for high-altitude flying with 32 ft wingspan
LA-1S Bull Pup – floatplane version

Specifications (L-1)

Data from Aviation

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 19 ft 0 in (5.79 m)
Wingspan: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Wing area: 109.4 sq ft (10.16 m²)
Empty weight: 550 lb (249 kg)
Gross weight: 850 lb (386 kg)
Fuel capacity: 10 US gal (8.3 imp gal; 38 L)
Powerplant: 1 × Szekely SR-3 three-cylinder radial engine, 45 hp (34 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 98 mph (158 km/h, 85 kn)
Cruise speed: 78 mph (126 km/h, 68 kn)
Range: 260 mi (420 km, 230 nmi)
Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 m)
Rate of climb: 780 ft/min (4.0 m/s)

References

"Flying Equipment: Approved Type Certificates". Aviation. Vol. 30, no. 5. May 1931. p. 311.
"Flying Equipment: The Buhl "Bull Pup"". Aviation. Vol. 30, no. 4. April 1931. pp. 249–250.1
Gunston, Bill (1993). World Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. p. 61.
Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 216.
"Table 1: American Airplane Specifications: Passenger Planes With Seats For Fewer Than Four Persons". Aviation. Vol. 30, no. 7. July 1931. pp. 426–427, 430.
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