The Model 44 is a hand-build monoplane design with wood and tube construction. The wings and empenage are fabric covered while the forward fuselage is an aluminum skin. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jr. radial engine rated for 500 horsepower. The model that is simulated would have been built and flown between 1931 and 1934. 

While this is a recreation of historical aircraft, there are many details that I do not have historical records for. Also, being hand-built and actively raced, each of the known model 44s underwent many modifications and each was unique in their own ways. Because of this, I opted to create a simulated version that is mostly consistent with the known history. This is especially true for the cockpit details. Only NR61Y remains today and it appears to have undergone many modifications since 1933. 

Liveries
There were four model 44s built by the Wedell-Williams company but one was destroyed in a crash and never raced. The other ships, scarlet and black Miss Patterson #44, white and black Miss New Orleans #92, and Roscoe Turner's Gilmore Red Lion, #121, raced in the Thompson Trophy and Bendix Trophy. 

I have also included an unpainted livery for you to customize and make your own paint scheme. 

SU9 Compatible, VR Compatible

Installation

Simply unzip and copy the folder into your Community folder

Version 1.10 Release - May 4, 2022

I would like to thank everyone that has downloaded this and especially those who took the time to leave a comment with constructive feedback. I have found the problem with the engine sounds and you should now be able to hear the radial Wasp engine as it was intended. The sound levels do not change when opening the canopy but I hope to solve this in a future release.

A new propeller blur texture has been added which now shows the hub and a bit of the blades and looks better from the side. If you prefer a different look, I have included some alternate textures. 

Early Access
This aircraft is "medium detail". I focused my time on the flight model and systems to try and create a fun and hopefully educational experience. This initial release is the vintage version with period-appropriate instruments. If this gets enough interest, I will work on a version that is equipped with more modern instrumentation, avionics and lighting. 

Parking Brakes
There are no parking brakes and the engine is powerful enough at idle to pull you forward. So press the wheel brakes when you click Fly on the runway. If you are stopped, you can engage wheel chocks from the card in the cockpit or with the standard parking brake key (default "B").

Trimming
I recommend that you have buttons assigned to elevator, ailerion and rudder trim because this plane does require trimming all surfaces for a stable flight. 

Startup Procedure
The vintage Model 44 does not feature an electric starter, it can only be started via hand pulling the prop. This is simulated by an invisible "ground crew" that can be signaled via the Ground Crew Instructions card in the cockpit. The pilot needs to switch on both magneto switches and then click the spot on the instruction card. Prior to starting, the pilot should apply the wheel brakes or set the wheel chocks. 

Taxi Procedure
Due to the steep ground angle and large engine cowl, forward visibility during taxi is severely limited. It is recommended to proceed slowly and use "S-turns" to maintain visibility. 

Takeoff Procedure
After lining up on the runway centerline, glance to each side to establish a view of the runway edges. You will use this to gauge your position down the center of the runway. 
Due to the high thrust and torque of the engine, you must increase the throttle slowly or risk an unintended turn. 15-17 inches of manifold pressure is adequate to start the takeoff roll. Once sufficient speed for the rudder to begin to have effect, you can advance the throttle to above 20 inches of manifold pressure. Liftoff should occur before 100 knots indicated. 

Landing Procedure
Due to the limited forward visibility, you should adopt a modified approach. You can crab the ship and use side slip to keep the runway visible during approach. Alternatively, you could fly a close pattern where the base and final turns are rounded off. This allows you to maintain sight of the runway until crossing the threshold. 
In both cases, the last moments prior to touchdown will have you with zero forward visibility. Look out the sides to maintain equal distance between the sides of the runway. 
Maintain a high angle of attack to bleed off speed. The braking is intentionally weak, so engage the brakes early and apply increasing backpressure to the stick to avoid nose-over. 
As the speed decreases, the tail skid will contact the ground. This will provide additional braking force. 

Pylon Racing
The Model 44s were very competitive at the National Air races during the 1931-1934 timeframe, setting world speed records. 

Transcontinental Races
The Wedell-Williams Model 44 participated in several transcontinental races, setting the world speed records.

Due to the range of the 180 gallon main fuel tank, you can fly at speeds over 200 knots for more than 1,800 miles without refueling. Navigation during the 1930s would have been only by compass and visual landmarks. 

Fuel Gauge
There is one 180 gallon fuel tank. You can read the level with the sight gauge tube mounted to the tank just behind the compass. The level line will begin to appear around 70 gallons remaining. The line disappears behind the tubing frame at around 27 gallons remaining. Fuel burn in cruise is around 30 gallons per hour. 

Chronograph
By default, the chronograph will show the local time. Clicking on the face of the chronograph will toggle between time mode and stopwatch mode. In Stopwatch mode, clicking the top stem will start and stop the timer. When stopped, click the reset button to reset the stopwatch back to zero. The large dial is seconds, the smaller upper dial displays minutes and the smaller lower dial displays hours. 

Grid Compass
The large compass at the lower section of the panel is a grid compass. The outer ring can be rotated my the pilot after the locking mechanism has been released. The "spider" inside the compass will always point toward magnetic North with the arm that has a cross at the end. The other arms indicate East and West. 
To use this instrument for navigation, rotate the outer ring until your desired course is lined up with the lubber line at the top of the dial. When the pointers are within the white painted grid lines, the aircraft heading is on the selected course.