<!-- This article is a part of Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft. Please see Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout. --> {{Infobox aircraft | name = Loose Special | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Racing aircraft | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = America | manufacturer = | design_group = | designer = Chet Loose<ref>{{cite web|title=Loose Special|url=http://siris-thesauri.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=13215780L388C.3493&profile=planes&uri=link=3100020~!43271~!3100001~!3100002&aspect=subtab13&menu=search&ri=1&source=~!sithesauri&term=Loose+%28Chet%29+Siem+%28Warren%29+Special+NX64573&index=DOAAMB#focus|accessdate=17 November 2011}}</ref> | builder = | issuer = | status = | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 1 | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 1933 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}

The '''Loose Special''', also called the '''Townsend A-1 Special''', the '''Loose-Siem Special''' and the '''Townsend Special''' is a small air racer developed for the Thompson Trophy races.<ref>{{cite web|title=Clarance Ace Bragunier|url=http://www.dmairfield.org/people/bragunier_ac/index.html|accessdate=17 November 2011}}</ref>

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==Design== The Loose Special is a small single seat racer with conventional landing gear and a cable-braced mid-wing.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Skyways|date=October 2001}}</ref> The engine was replaced with an {{convert|85|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Continental to compete in the Formula One air races.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Flying Magazine|date=December 1947}}</ref>

==Operational history== The Loose Special participated in 1933, 1935 and 1938 air races.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thompson Faq|url=http://www.flyingacesclub.com/thompson.pdf|accessdate=17 November 2011}}</ref> In the 1948 Goodyear Formula One Air Races pilot Earl Ortman placed fourth at a speed of {{convert|127.339|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Earl Ortman|url=http://goldenageofaviation.org/ortman.htm|accessdate=17 November 2011}}</ref> <!-- ==Variants== --> <!-- ==Units using this aircraft/Operators (choose)== -->

==Specifications (Loose Siem Special) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Skyways, Flying<!-- for giving the reference for the data --> |prime units?=kts<!-- imp or kts first for US aircraft, and UK aircraft pre-metrification, met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show --> <!-- General characteristics --> |genhide=

|crew=1 |capacity= |length m= |length ft=13 |length in= |length note= |span m= |span ft=19 |span in= |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |aspect ratio=<!-- give where relevant eg sailplanes --> |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=530 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=800 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity= |more general= <!-- Powerplant --> |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name= |eng1 type= |eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> |eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines -->

|prop blade number=2<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop name=McCaulley |prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop note=

<!-- Performance --> |perfhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=154 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh=<!-- aerobatic --> |stall speed mph=80<!-- aerobatic --> |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=3 hr<!-- if range unknown --> |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits=<!-- aerobatic --> |roll rate=<!-- aerobatic --> |glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes --> |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=2000 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |sink rate ms=<!-- sailplanes --> |sink rate ftmin=<!-- sailplanes --> |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft=11 |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

<!-- ==See also== --> {{aircontent <!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. --> |see also= |related=<!-- related developments --> |similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft --> |lists=<!-- related lists --> }}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.aerofiles.com/loose-siem.jpg Image of the Loose Special]

Category:Racing aircraft Category:Mid-wing aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1933