Chester Swee' Pea

{{Infobox aircraft | name = Chester Swee' Pea | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Racing aircraft | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United States of America | manufacturer = | design_group = | designer = Art Chester | builder = | issuer = | status = | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 3 | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = 20 July 1947 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}

The '''Swee' Pea''' was a series of three midget aircraft racers designed by Art Chester.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Popular Science|date=January 1958}}</ref>

==Design and development== The Swee' Pea was a racing aircraft to compete in the new midget racing class championed by race pilot Art Chester. The aircraft was the third design from Chester with a Popeye comic name.

The midget racer was required to have an engine less than 190 cubic inches in displacement at the time. The Swee' Pea shared a similar short, mid-wing taildragger configuration with other midget racers. The aircraft was unique in that it used a V tail configuration and a single cooling air intake through a large hole in the center of the spinner.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Sport Aviation|date=September 1958}}</ref> The Fuselage is welded tube steel with plywood covered wings.

==Operational history== The Swee' Pea was introduced at the 1947 National Air Races, but the V-Tail performed poorly at takeoff speed, and was replaced by a conventional tail for the 1948 Miami races. The top speed was reduced with a conventional tail, so the V-Tail was re-installed.

The Swee' Pea (now Sky Baby) was acquired by the Spirit of Flight Foundation museum in Nampa, ID and is currently on display with other Art Chester artifacts and photos.

==Variants== ;Swee' Pea :Later Renamed "Sky Baby" - one built ;Swee' Pea II :Modified with a Y-tail (similar to the Sonex Waiex). Art Chester died in a crash in this plane at the San Diego Air Races on 24 April 1949. - one built ;Wimpy :The Swee' Pea modified with the main gear farther back. This aircraft crashed on 25 July 1948 at Rosemead airfield, due to blanking of the v-tail during a slow manoeuvre. - one built

==Specifications (Chester Swee' Pea) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Sport Aviation |prime units?=kts  |genhide=

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|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=180 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph= |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles= |range nmi= |range note= |ferry range km= |ferry range miles= |ferry range nmi= |ferry range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin= |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

==See also== {{aircontent  |see also= *National Air Races |related= *Chester Goon *Chester Jeep |similar aircraft= |lists= }}

==References== {{commons category|Chester aircraft}} {{reflist}}  {{Art Chester aircraft}}

Category:Racing aircraft Category:Mid-wing aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1947 Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft