Atlas H-10

The Atlas H-10 was the prototype for a four-seat cabin monoplane aircraft, registered N37463, designed by Max Harlow, which was flown in the United States shortly after World War II.

H-10
General information
Type	Civil utility aircraft
Manufacturer	Atlas Aircraft
Designer	Max B. Harlow
Number built	1
History
First flight	4 October 1945

History

The Atlas H-10 had been constructed from the unfinished Harlow PJC-4 sporting monoplane which had been left uncompleted at the outbreak of the conflict. The water heater company Rheem Manufacturing Company briefly invested in the project as the PCC-10 (Pasadena City College Model 10) but did not pursue the business. Pasadena students completed the aircraft, and its first flight was on 4 October 1945 with a 220 hp Lycoming.

It was a low-wing cantilever monoplane of aluminum semi-monocoque configuration with retractable tailwheel undercarriage and powered by a variety of engines throughout its life. Originally powered by a Lycoming O-435, it was re-engined with two Continental O-300s driving contra-rotating propellers through a common gearbox and registered as the Mono-Twin. In turn, this arrangement was replaced with a Franklin 6AB and finally a Lycoming IO-720, each driving a single propeller. The cabin layout was also modified.

Operational history

Only the single H-10 was completed and flown. In the early 1970s it was based at Long Beach Airport in southern California. It was later revised and flown in the 1990's.

As of 2006, the aircraft was reportedly still in existence in a dismantled state in the hands of a Californian collector.

Atlas H-10 as photographed by owner of property in Ocotillo Wells, California.

As of 2024, the H-10 was re-assembled as a static display near Highway 78 in Ocotillo Wells, California.

Variants

The sole Atlas H-10 in 1973 when fitted with a Lycoming IO-720 engine

Harlow PJC-4

Original design

Atlas PCC-10

Test aircraft

Atlas H-10

Redesignated production aircraft

Atlas Mono-Twin

Re-engined prototype with twin radial

Specifications (with Continental engines)

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Capacity: three passengers
• Length: 28 ft 4 in (8.64 m)
• Wingspan: 35 ft 9 in (10.90 m)
• Powerplant: 2 × Continental O-300 , 145 hp (108 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 170 mph (274 km/h, 150 kn)

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 83.
• aerofiles.com