Laird Solution
title: "Laird Solution" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["laird-aircraft", "1930s-united-states-sport-aircraft", "single-engined-tractor-aircraft", "biplanes", "racing-aircraft", "aircraft-first-flown-in-1930"] topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laird_Solution" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox aircraft"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | LC-DW Solution |
| image | File:Laird LC-DW 300 Solution Aero Digest October,1930.jpg |
| aircraft_type | Racing aircraft |
| national_origin | United States of America |
| manufacturer | E. M. Laird Airplane Company |
| designer | E. M. Laird |
| number_built | 1 |
| introduction | 1930 |
| variants | Laird Super Solution |
| :: |
| name = LC-DW Solution | logo = | logo_size = | image = File:Laird LC-DW 300 Solution Aero Digest October,1930.jpg | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Racing aircraft | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United States of America | manufacturer = E. M. Laird Airplane Company | design_group = | designer = E. M. Laird | builder = | issuer = | status = | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 1 | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 1930 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = Laird Super Solution | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded =
The Laird Solution, also called the Laird LC-DW Solution, Laird LC-DW300 Super Solution and Laird LC-DW500 Super Solution, was touted as being the "solution" to the problem of the Travel Air Mystery Ship. The Solution won the 1930 Thompson Trophy race days.
Design and development
In 1930 Matty Laird was commissioned to build a racing plane based on the Laird Speedwing by B.F. Goodrich's Lee Schoenhair for the 1930 Thompson Trophy race. Schoenhair backed out of the project, believing the aircraft would not be tested in time. Laird entered the Solution himself in the 1930 Thompson Trophy with Charles "Speed" Holman as the pilot.
The Solution, (registered NR10538), was a biplane with conventional landing gear, having a welded steel fuselage and aircraft fabric covering. The aircraft kept the same registration number NR10538, and was repainted several times from black and gold, white and gold, to lavender and gold.
A second aircraft, (NR12048), powered by a 535 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp was built as the Laird LC-DW300 Super Solution, retaining the fixed undercarriage of the original, for the 1931 Bendix Trophy which it won, piloted by Jimmy Doolittle. This aircraft was modified with retractable landing gear for the 1932 Bendix Trophy but on a test flight the gear failed to lower and Doolittle was forced to belly land the aircraft, forcing withdrawal from the race.
Operational history
- 1930 Thompson Trophy (Solution NR10538) - Chicago, Illinois 1 September 1930. Placed first.201.91 kn for 20 laps The pilot Speed Holman flew with exhaust gases leaking into the cockpit causing him to pass out several times during the event.
- 1931 Thompson Trophy (Solution NR10538) - Sponsored by the Sweet Kiss Tooth Paste Company.
The Laird Solution was restored over a period of seven years and is on display in its Black and Gold paint scheme at the New England Air Museum.
Variants
;Laird LC-DW Solution :Powered by a 300hp Pratt & Whitney R-985, (NR10538), competed in the 1930 and 1931 Thompson trophy races piloted by "Speed" Holman achieving an average speed of 202mph. ;Laird LC-DW300 Super Solution :A second aircraft, (NR12048), built for Jimmy Doolittle to race in the 1931 Bendix Trophy, powered by a 535hp supercharged Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Jr. ;Laird LC-DW500 Super Solution :NR12048 modified with retractable undercarriage. Entered in the 1932 Bendix Trophy, but withdrawn after a belly landing due to the landing gear failing to extend forced withdrawal.
Specifications (LC-DW Solution)
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Laird_LC-DW_300_Solution_3-view_Aero_Digest_October,1930.png" caption="Laird LC-DW 300 Solution 3-view drawing from Aero Digest October,1930"] ::
|ref=Skyways, Race to the Wind |prime units?=kts General characteristics
|crew=one |length m= |length ft=17 |length in=9 |length note= |span m= |span ft=21 |span in= |span note= |upper span m= |upper span ft= |upper span in= |upper span note= |lower span m= |lower span ft= |lower span in= |lower span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=1380 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity= |more general= Powerplant
|eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior |eng1 type=radial |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=470 |prop blade number=2 |prop name=variable-pitch propeller |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop note=
Performance
|perfhide= |max speed kmh= |max speed mph=202 |max speed kts= |max speed note=average achieved during races |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph= |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles= |range nmi= |range note= |ferry range km= |ferry range miles= |ferry range nmi= |ferry range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin= |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics=
|see also= |related= |similar aircraft= |lists=
References
References
- Skyways. (October 2001)
- Herm L. Schreiner. "Aviation's great recruiter: Cleveland's Ed Packard".
- Ted West. (September 1977). "The Solution". Flying Magazine.
- (October 2001). "Racing Notebook". Skyways.
- (October 2001). "Racing Notebook". Skyways.
- Popular Aviation. (July 1931)
- http://neam.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&layout=edit&id=865 "Laird LC-DW 300 'Solution'
- Flying Magazine. (June 1931)
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