The Security Airster S-1 is an American two-seat single-engined monoplane designed by Bert Kinner and built by his Security National Aircraft Corporation later named the American Aircraft Corporation.^[1]

Development

The Airster S-1 appeared in 1933 after the designer Bert Kinner had started the Security National Aircraft Corporation to build it.^[1] The Airster S-1-A was a side-by-side two-seat single-engined low-wing braced monoplane, it had folding wings and a fixed tailwheel landing gear.^[1] The aircraft was powered by one of Kinners engines the 100 hp (75 kW) Kinner K-5 radial.^[1] A coupe option was available to enclose the open cockpit.^[1] The economic situation in the United States of the early 1930s was not a good time to launch a light aircraft and only 15 were built when production of the S-1A stopped in January 1935.^[1] One of the purchasers of the aircraft turned out to be Edgar Rice Burroughs, author of the Tarzan series.^[2][3]

In 1939 with the company renamed the American Aircraft Corporation, Kinner attempted to restart production with a revised Airster S-1-B, again powered by his own engine a 125 hp (93 kW) Security S5-125 radial.^[1] Times were no better and only about five were built before the factory and assets were bought in 1942 by the National Airplane & Motor Company.^[1]

Variants

Airster S-1

Prototypes powered by 100hp (75kW) Kinner K-5 radial engine, two built.^[4]

Airster S-1-A

Production version, 12 built.^[4]

Airster S-1-B

Revised 1939 variant with a 125hp (93kW) Security S5-125 radial engine, five built.^[4]

Specifications (S-1-A)

Data from ^[4]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 23 ft 11 in (7.29 m)
• Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m)
• Empty weight: 1,197 lb (543 kg) ^[5]
• Gross weight: 1,775 lb (805 kg) ^[5]
• Powerplant: 1 × Kinner K-5 radial piston engine, 100 hp (75 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)
• Cruise speed: 88 mph (142 km/h, 76 kn)
• Range: 300 mi (480 km, 260 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 m)