Loose Special

The Loose Special, also called the Townsend A-1 Special, the Loose-Siem Special and the Townsend Special is a small air racer developed for the Thompson Trophy races.

Design
The Loose Special is a small single seat racer with conventional landing gear and a cable-braced mid-wing. The engine was replaced with an 85 hp Continental to compete in the Formula One air races.

Operational history
The Loose Special participated in 1933, 1935 and 1938 air races. In the 1948 Goodyear Formula One Air Races pilot Earl Ortman placed fourth at a speed of 127.339 mph.