ACME A1
In the fifties, Between 1954 and 1958, Air Craft Marine Engineering (ACME) Company of Van Nuys, California, had designed an eight-scat twin-jet triphibious aircraft suitable for executive transport and utility uses. A mock-up had been completed and the prototype Model A-1 was expected to fly in 1958.
Powerplants were Continental Model 420 (Turbomeca Aspin II) turbofans rated at 790 lb. nominal thrust. These were selected because of the high propulsive efficiency evident in the low specific fuel consumption at relatively high cruising speed (340 mph). Also, the bi'pass feature effectively serves as a high efficiency pump for the BLC system Engine anct' nacelle.
The aircraft should be able to operate from land, water or snow through the use of a sponson/landing gear combination with shock-absorbing liquid springs. Drag-producing wing-tip floats were not required with these sponsons, and a retractable step fairing further reduces hull-drag losses.
A complete boundary-layersystem should provide STOL characteristics permitting the A-l to be flown from unprepared fields at 45 mph besides cutting down water take-off runs. A retractable outboard motor, remotely started and steered, was located in the tailcone, and should enable the pilot to cut the jet engines after landing and taxi the aircraft through a harbour to a dock or mooring.
ACME General data
| Manufacturer | ACME |
| Type | Twin turbofan Seaplane |
| Project period | 1954-1958 |
| Crew | 1+7 |
Power plant
| Engine | Continental | model 420 |
| Count | 2 | |
| Type | Turbofan | |
| Max ratings | 350 kg | 792 lbs |
Dimensions
| Span | 14,02 m | 46 ft |
| Length | 11,58 m | 38 ft |
| Height | 3,50 m | 11.5 ft |
| Areas | m² | ft² |
| Aspect ratio |
Weights
| Empty | kg | lbs |
| Useful Load (average) | 830 kg | 1,830 lbs |
| Fuel capacity | 1817 l | 480 US Gal. |
| Max. permissible | 4082 kg | 9000 lbs |
| Wing Loading | k/m² | lb/ft² |
Performances
| Vne - Max. speed | 595 km/h | 370 mph |
| Vno - Max. speed in operation | 547 km/h | 340 mph |
| Vs - Stall speed | km/h | mph |
| Max. rate of climb | m/s | ft/min |
| Service ceiling | m | ft |
| Max Range | 1865 km | 1.160 mil. |
