A Pranged Mitchell ...

[Mark Allen M]

Not 'that' Mitchell, this Mitchell ....

Mitchell-Tri-motor

[Michel Lemieux]

What a contraption!!!!!

[bdk]

Reminds me a bit of this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champion_Lancer

[Scott Rose]

Been doing this for 30 years and see something new everyday.... Wow

[bipe215]

I think it’s an L-13 with unfortunate alterations. The single wing strut, position of the gear legs, strut reinforced stab, wing with sudden taper at the aileron root, all look like L-13 to me. I can’t figure how in the world the #3 prop got bent. Sure would like to know more

[JohnB]

First I have heard of it....and I spend more time than most studying general aviation types, especially odd ones.

[Archer]

What baffles me about this contraption is that the cowlings on those wing-mounted engines are pretty short. You'll need to fit the crankcase and accessories between the wing's main spar and the front of that cowling. There doesn't appear to be a lot of room for that. Both structurally and aerodynamically it would be less than ideal to say the least. On the other hand... I'm no aeroplane designer...

It is certainly an interesting image. The bent no.3 prop looks odd to me too, perhaps the tip hit the ground when that dent in the no.2 cowling occurred, but that particular prop itself appears unharmed so I wonder if the damage is from a flying accident. It may have tipped over because of high winds or something like that.

[JohnB]

I agree, the wing cowlings look short, perhaps they had those small McCulloch 2-stroke 72 hp target drone engines or something similar.

Last edited by JohnB on Mon May 09, 2022 6:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Mark Allen M]

Photo only came with “Mitchell Tri-motor”
Searching around came up with very little about it. I believe it’s a one and only.
Extra engines seem unnecessary unless an extra boost for towing. Just a guess.

[FITD]

A little bit of extra information here;

https://www.airport-data.com/manuf/Mitc ... t_Cor.html

An additional page if you select the Registration, N303N, will give you some dates.

FITD

[bipe215]

Mitchell Trimotor Aircraft Corp did own a TC on L-13's in the early 60's:

https://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guid ... E/4a15.pdf