| Plane & Pilot Antique & Classic Airplane Annual, 1971 | https://www.angelfire.com/ks2/janowski/other_aircraft/AG14/P-PA-CA.html |
THE AMAZING ANDERSON GREENWOODAN ATTEMPT AT A PERFECT PLANEBy STEVE WERNER"WILMINGTON TOWER, this is Anderson Greenwood 3902 Kilo entering down wind." "Anderson Greenwood 02 Kilo, please use name of aircraft instead of your personal name!" A humorous instance, but one which typifies the unusual experiences encountered by the owner of such an unusual plane as the Anderson Greenwood. First produced in 1950, only four aircraft were completed before production was terminated. Today only three are active. One such owner is Edward Phinney of Oxnard, California. Phinney is a man who delights in the oddity of his plane. He seems to enjoy parking it at various airports, then standing aside to answer any questions while devouring the attention both he and the plane receive from the crowd that inevitably gathers. Even an occasional old friend from a meeting several years past may show up. First one, then two, then more admirers arrive, until the word that an Anderson Greenwood is nearby has passed to everyone in the immediate vicinity. Most people reply "Oh really" with feigned excitement to hide their ignorance, and then proceed to find out what an '"Anderson something-or-other" is. Phinney's apparent vanity concerning his aircraft proves to be a justified attitude when one considers both its immaculate condition and its exceptional scarcity. The cliche, "as good as new," must have been coined when someone first saw Edward Phinney's Anderson Greenwood. From its yellow interior to its gleaming yellow exterior the plane is virtually spotless, which is as it should be with all due respect for such a priceless item. Unfortunately though, for Phinneys's pride, the pleasure of owning such an uncommon aircraft is about to be dealt a hard blow. No longer to the untrained eye will an Anderson Greenwood be so unusual a sight at an airport. Cessna Aircraft Co. will be responsible for making this style of aircraft familiar to the public. The Cessna XMC, now considered only an experimental aircraft, strongly resembles the Anderson Greenwood. And not by coincidence! Cessna brought an Anderson Greenwood to Witchita for engineering evaluation. Some of the visual differences between the two aircraft are: an actual high wing placement on the XMC as opposed to a mid-wing on the Anderson Greenwood; an air scoop over the cabin on the XMC instead of two scoops placed under each wing on the Anderson Greenwood; and last but not least, wheel skirts on the XMC. As a result of these differences in construction between the two planes, an Anderson Greenwood will still remain an Anderson Greenwood. Nothing will diminish the fact that it is definitely a plane to be proud of. A plane so ahead of its time that it may be used as an example for newly designed aircraft. Speaking of design, this leads us to the fact that the Anderson Greenwood has several unique characteristics. It is interesting to note that the entire frame is perfectly balanced over the two rear wheels so that the plane may be rocked back and set on the tips of its twin booms. Only the lightest lift is required to return the plane to its tricycle stance. Phinney claims that his plane still wears its original front tire, a remarkable fact which attests to the light use it receives due to the plane's perfect balance. In fact the aircraft may be taxied riding on the two rear wheels for an unlimited distance. The Anderson Greenwood was originally built with a 90-hp engine which has been replaced with a larger 100-hp Continental for a little extra boost. The increased engine size in conjunction with a ground adjustable propeller allow Phinney to boast a cruise speed of 90 to 130 mph and an extended range of 700 miles. Aside from the obvious enjoyment ot flying a collectors item such as the Anderson Greenwood, its more than ample performance and simplicity make it a pleasure to fly even in comparison to modern aircraft. Designed during the late 1940's by three engineers - Ben Anderson, Marvin Greenwood and Loomis Slaughter - it was intended to be the perfect light plane. The basic pusher design, with the engine mounted to the rear of the cabin between twin booms, provides a quieter ride than may be experienced in comparable aircraft with engines mounted forward. The pusher design also allows for greater visibility; ease of entrance and propeller safety. To enter the cockpit one merely sits on the seat and lifts his legs in, much the same way a lady enters a car. For ease of operation the plane was placed on tricycle landing gear to allow for auto type steering with the control wheel linked to the nose wheel. In flight, the Anderson Greenwood's high aspect ratio wing with a thick section gives it satisfactory lift and unusually stable stalling characteristics. When stalled the airplane has no tendency to fall off to either side and is virtually spin resistant. Due to the Anderson Greenwood's short production life, ending almost immediately after its birth, the aircraft never had a fair chance at proving itself the perfect light plane. But whether or not it would have succeeded is no longer important. What is important is that it seems to have come close enough to its goal to please its owner Edward Phinney. And to interest Cessna Aircraft Co. 20 years later.
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