Murphy Renegade

{{Short description|Canadian two-seat biplane design}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = Renegade | logo = | logo_size = | image = MurphyRenegadeIIC-IDXC.JPG | alt = | caption = Renegade II | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[homebuilt aircraft|Kit aircraft]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[Canada]] | manufacturer = [[Murphy Aircraft]] | design_group = | designer = [[Darryl Murphy]] | builder = | issuer = | status = | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 590 (2011)<ref name="KitplanesDec2011" /> | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = 1984-present | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} [[File:MurphyRenegadeSpiritC-IDBK.JPG|thumb|right|Renegade Spirit with [[Rotax 618]] engine]]

The '''Murphy Renegade''' is a family of [[Canada|Canadian]] two-seats-in-[[tandem]], single engine, [[conventional landing gear]], [[biplane]]s, produced by [[Murphy Aircraft]] and intended for [[homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]].<ref name="KitplanesDec2011">Vandermeullen, Richard: ''2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide'', Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 62. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', page 212. BAI Communications. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2007">Downey, Julia: ''2008 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 63. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec1998">Kitplanes Staff: ''1999 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 57. Primedia Publications. IPM 0462012</ref><ref name="Patterson">{{cite web|url = http://www.pattersonaerosales.com/Aircraft/Renegade/Renegade.html|title = Murphy Renegade Spirit |accessdate = 2009-12-31|last = Patterson AeroSales|year =}}</ref><ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 66. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X</ref><ref name="WDLA15">Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: ''World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16'', page 69. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}</ref>

In Canada all Renegade variants are eligible to be registered as [[homebuilt aircraft|amateur-builts]], [[basic ultralight]]s or [[advanced ultralight]]s. In the USA the Renegade is not on the list of [[Special light-sport aircraft]], but is eligible for the [[homebuilt aircraft|Experimental - Amateur-built]] category.<ref name="TC-AULA">{{cite web|url = http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/general/CCARCS/advancedullist.htm|title = Listing of Models Eligible to be Registered as Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplanes (AULA)|accessdate = 2010-01-01|last = [[Transport Canada]] |date=December 2009}}</ref><ref name="SLSA">{{cite web|url = http://sportpilot.org/learn/slsa/|title = Special Light-Sport Aircraft|accessdate = 2010-01-01|last = [[Experimental Aircraft Association]]|date=January 2010}}</ref><ref name="FAAlist">{{cite web|url = http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/gen_av/ultralights/amateur_built/kit_listing/media/amateur_built_kit_listing.pdf|title = Revised Listing of Amateur-built Aircraft Kits|accessdate = 2010-01-01|last = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]|date=January 2009}}</ref>

==Development== The Renegade was designed as the result of an accident. Darryl Murphy is a mechanical engineering technologist who designed and built a rigid wing hang glider in 1978 as a school project while attending the [[Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology]] in [[Saskatoon, Saskatchewan]]. In 1984 Murphy was in a non-aviation accident that left him hospitalized for four months. During his recovery time he decided to design a biplane to fit into the then-new [[Ultralight aircraft (Canada)|Canadian ultralight category]]. The resulting aircraft, C-IDJY, is a single-seat model and was intended as a one-off aircraft for his own use, with no production intentions. Murphy named it the ''Renegade''.<ref name="TTFWinter93-94">Murphy Aircraft: ''Meet Our Staff: President Darryl Murphy'', Towards the Flightline, Winter 1993-84 page 3. Murphy Aircraft.</ref>

After taking the aircraft to a number of [[fly-in]]s and other aviation events, Murphy was encouraged by the large number of people who wanted him to build one for them. In 1985 he quit his job and started ''Murphy Aviation'' (later renamed [[Murphy Aircraft Manufacturing]]), with his brother Bryan and located the company in [[Chilliwack, British Columbia]]. The original Renegade design was turned into a two-seater by relocating the fuel tank from the centre [[fuselage]] to the upper wing, installing a second seat and designating it ''Renegade II''. Initial sales were disappointing as only one kit was sold in the first six months. Sales improved greatly once the aviation press began reviewing the aircraft. By 1986 the company had a backlog of orders, including many from outside North America. Murphy displayed the Renegade at the [[EAA AirVenture Oshkosh|EAA Convention, Oshkosh]] and returned to Chilliwack with a substantial order book. During 1989 sales totalled 129 Renegade IIs.<ref name="TTFWinter93-94" /><ref name="NewsBulletinSpring88">Murphy Aviation: ''News Bulletin'', page 4. Murphy Aviation, Spring 1988</ref>

The Renegade two was initially offered to buyers in six different configurations:<ref name="Murphy1986">Murphy Aviation Limited: ''Renegade'', page 3. Murphy Aviation Limited, 1986.</ref><ref name="NewsBulletinSummer87">Murphy Aviation: ''News Bulletin'', page 2. Murphy Aviation, Summer 1987</ref>

*Plans only *Partial materials kits *Full materials kit *Complete kit, unassembled *Quick-build kit *Fully assembled aircraft

[[File:Murphy Renegade Spirit with no registration 02.JPG|thumb|right|Renegade Spirit]] In May 1987 a new version of the basic Renegade design first flew. Named the ''Renegade Spirit'' it added a [[radial engine]]-style round cowling and additional fuselage stringers to give the aircraft a rounded look. The standard engine was the {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 532]] and later the [[Rotax 582]] of the same output, with the {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[four-stroke]] [[Rotax 912UL]] added as a later option. Fibreglass [[wheel pants]] are also an option.<ref name="NewsBulletinSummer87" /><ref name="Armstrong">Armstrong, Ken: ''Catching the Spirit'', Kitplanes Magazine</ref><ref name="InfoPackage1990">Murphy Aviation: ''Catching the "Spirit" in a Murphy Rengade - Info Package''. Murphy Aviation, 1990</ref><ref name="Campbell">Campbell, Jim: ''Getting the Spirit''. Sport Pilot, pages 20-25, 66-70, April 1989</ref>

==Design== The Renegade fuselage is constructed of [[aluminium]] square tubing extrusions and fittings, fastened with Avex rivets. The turtle deck and engine cowling are made from [[fibreglass]]. The fin, rudder, horizontal stabilizer and elevators are built from aluminum tubing and channel sections. The tail is wire-braced. A manual [[trim tab]] mounted on the elevator is an option. The landing gear is of [[conventional landing gear|conventional configuration]] and incorporates bungee suspension. The welded engine mount is [[4130 steel]].<ref name="Murphy1986" /><ref name="InfoPackage1990" /><ref name="InfoPackage1989">Murphy Aviation: ''The Rengade Info Package''. Murphy Aviation, 1989</ref>

The Renegades's wings have a [[Stagger (aviation)|positive stagger]] and incorporate a single faired [[interplane strut]] and [[cabane struts]] as well as wire-bracing. The top wing has a span of {{convert|21|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} and incorporates a 10 degree sweep to improve visibility from the pilot's back seat, accessibility for the front seat passenger and reduces [[adverse yaw]]. The lower wing has 3 degrees of [[Dihedral (aircraft)|dihedral]]. Ailerons are of the [[Aileron#Frise ailerons|Friese]] type, with two ailerons on the lower wing standard and four ailerons optional. The front wing [[spar (aviation)|spar]] was initially a {{convert|3|in|cm|1|abbr=on}} aluminum tube and the rear spar is "C" channel. Starting 1 January 1989 the front spar was changed to a rectangular spar and an outboard drag brace was added, increasing wing rigidity. The ribs are stamped aluminum and mate with an aluminium sheet leading edge. All surfaces are covered with [[aircraft fabric]]. Controls are via torque tubes.<ref name="Murphy1986" /><ref name="InfoPackage1989" />

The Renegade II wing design was sand-bag tested on 16 February 1988 to {{convert|4050|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, or +7.2 [[g-force|g]] working load, with a +10 and -6 gs ultimate load.<ref name="Murphy1986" /><ref name="InfoPackage1990" />

The company indicates that construction time varies between 300–500 hours, depending on builder experience.<ref name="InfoPackage1989" />

==Operational history== [[File:Murphy Renegade seaplane at Garavan.jpg|thumb|right|Renegade Spirit on floats]] Renegades have been equipped with [[floatplane|floats]] for operations from water.<ref name="TTFFall1996">Murphy Aircraft: ''Now Flying'', Towards the Flightline, Fall 1996 page 6. Murphy Aircraft.</ref>

In his 2015 review Marino Boric said, "the Renegade can take less powerful engines like the Rotax 582, but the higher power of the 912 gives it the sprightly performance it deserves."<ref name="WDLA15"/>

==Variants== ;Renegade :Single seat prototype, one built, powered by a {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 447]] powerplant.<ref name="Murphy1986" /><ref name="Jones">Jones, Mary: ''Murphy's Renegade'',</ref> ;Renegade II :Two seat biplane, powered by a {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] or {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 532]].<ref name="Murphy1986" /> ;Renegade Spirit :Two seat biplane with round cowling, powered by a {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 532]] or [[Rotax 582]] or {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[four-stroke]] [[Rotax 912UL]]<ref name="Aerocrafter" />

==Aircraft on display== *[[Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum]] - Renegade Spirit *[[Jeju Aerospace Museum]]

==Specifications (Renegade II)== {{Aircraft specs |ref=Kitplanes,<ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /> Murphy Aircraft<ref name="Murphy1986" /> and The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage<ref name="Incomplete">{{cite web|url = http://www.ae.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/aircraft.html|title = The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage|accessdate = 11 September 2013|last = Lednicer|first = David|year = 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100420012244/http://www.ae.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/aircraft.html|archive-date = 20 April 2010|url-status = dead}}</ref> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity=one passenger |length m= |length ft=18 |length in=5 |length note= |span m= |span ft= |span in= |span note= |upper span m= |upper span ft=21 |upper span in=0 |upper span note= |lower span m= |lower span ft=19 |lower span in=8 |lower span note= |height m= |height ft=6 |height in=5 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=153 |wing area note=(168 sq ft with optional rounded wing tips) |aspect ratio= |airfoil=NACA 23012 |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=375 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=850 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|14|USgal|L}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Rotax 503]] |eng1 type=two cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=50 |eng1 kn= |eng1 lbf= |eng1 note= |power original=

|power/mass= |thrust/weight=

|more performance=

|avionics= }}

==See also== {{Portal|Aviation|Canada}} {{aircontent  |see also= |related= |similar aircraft= *[[Fisher Classic]] *[[Fisher FP-404]] *[[Fisher R-80 Tiger Moth]] *[[Fisher Youngster]] *[[RagWing RW2 Special I]] *[[Sorrell Hiperlight]] |lists= }}

==References== {{reflist|2}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *{{Official website|https://www.murphyair.com/detail/renegade.html}} {{Murphy Aircraft}}

[[Category:1980s Canadian ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]] [[Category:Biplanes]] [[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]] [[Category:Murphy aircraft|Renegade]] [[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]] [[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]