phecksel Posted December 5, 2013 Report Posted December 5, 2013 What was the real reason the 301 was never built? the official line I heard was not a large enough market. Rumors had that Kerrville plant was incapable? anybody have the real story?
KSMooniac Posted December 5, 2013 Report Posted December 5, 2013 I think it was an under-capitalized Mooney bringing a complicated plane to market right when GA was going in the tank... the French owners took the design and eventually the TBM700 evolved from it, and has been very successful.
fantom Posted December 5, 2013 Report Posted December 5, 2013 I think it was an under-capitalized Mooney bringing a complicated plane to market right when GA was going in the tank... the French owners took the design and eventually the TBM700 evolved from it, and has been very successful. That's exactly what happened. Mooney didn't have either the capital or the capability to bring the new design to market.
BobAustin Posted December 5, 2013 Report Posted December 5, 2013 Yes, that is what happened. Roy Lopresti told me that. He lived across the runway from my vacation home in a development north of Kerrville.
Piloto Posted December 6, 2013 Report Posted December 6, 2013 Maybe because it never achieved 301 mph (262kts). José
mooneyflyer Posted December 6, 2013 Report Posted December 6, 2013 Bob Kromer explained about the 301 in the October 2012 Mooney Flyer, if interested.
flyboy0681 Posted December 6, 2013 Report Posted December 6, 2013 Maybe because it never achieved 301 mph (262kts). José Which brings up an interesting question. Other than flying downhill, how did they get 175kts out of the J model to call it the 201?
fantom Posted December 6, 2013 Report Posted December 6, 2013 ......how did they get 175kts out of the J model to call it the 201? That's only 174 knots.....
flyboy0681 Posted December 6, 2013 Report Posted December 6, 2013 That's only 174 knots..... According to my calcs, it's 174.78. What Mooney pilot rounds down when talking of speed?
aviatoreb Posted December 6, 2013 Report Posted December 6, 2013 According to my calcs, it's 174.78. What Mooney pilot rounds down when talking of speed? 174.78 rounded to the nearest 100 is 200, right?
Hank Posted December 7, 2013 Report Posted December 7, 2013 UNITS, Erik! Units! 201 MPH = 174.66 knots. 1
Shadrach Posted December 7, 2013 Report Posted December 7, 2013 Which brings up an interesting question. Other than flying downhill, how did they get 175kts out of the J model to call it the 201? I always just assumed they took the prototype and gutted it of anything not needed for a speed record, then had the body tweaked to the best their aerodynamicists could do, plus added the ideal ballast for a single pilot. Under perfect conditions with minimum fuel weight maybe it's possible. Don't we have at least one J owner that claims ~170kt cruise when leaned for best power?
aviatoreb Posted December 7, 2013 Report Posted December 7, 2013 UNITS, Erik! Units! 201 MPH = 174.66 knots. Doh!
fantom Posted December 7, 2013 Report Posted December 7, 2013 Don't we have at least one J owner that claims ~170kt cruise when leaned for best power? Sure, in a dive When my J was just out of the factory it was good for 166-168 kts at best power, but that didn't last long. She settled into a 162-164 bird and maybe 155 LOP 20 degrees. Over the years we've both gotten a little heavier and a bit slower.
phecksel Posted December 8, 2013 Author Report Posted December 8, 2013 Bob Kromer explained about the 301 in the October 2012 Mooney Flyer, if interested. Thank you for the tip, good article.
KSMooniac Posted December 9, 2013 Report Posted December 9, 2013 I always just assumed they took the prototype and gutted it of anything not needed for a speed record, then had the body tweaked to the best their aerodynamicists could do, plus added the ideal ballast for a single pilot. Under perfect conditions with minimum fuel weight maybe it's possible. Don't we have at least one J owner that claims ~170kt cruise when leaned for best power? I think Norman H. is getting close to that in his '77 J with EXTENSIVE drag reduction... I know it isn't 170 KTAS at cruise setting, but I believe he is north of 165. Every antenna possible is buried, fwd com antenna deleted, pop-up scoop deleted, LoPresti cowl, Hartzell 2-blade Top Prop, low profile gear doors + caliper rotation, + later model aero speed mods on a lightweight early J.
Marauder Posted December 9, 2013 Report Posted December 9, 2013 Which brings up an interesting question. Other than flying downhill, how did they get 175kts out of the J model to call it the 201? It was a probably a prototype without radios, minimum fuel, heck, the test pilot was probably in his underwear.
Recommended Posts