The Last Laugh: Roy Scroggs' Experimental Tailless Aircraft
In the early days of aviation, the sky was a canvas for bold experimentation. One of the most unconventional designs of the interwar period was The Last Laugh, a prototype tailless, dart-shaped aircraft built in 1929. Conceived by Roy Scroggs, a tailor from Eugene, Oregon, this aircraft was more than just a machine; it was a defiant response to the aeronautical establishment of the time.
Designed as a lifting body—an aircraft where the fuselage itself is shaped to generate lift—The Last Laugh sought to challenge traditional aircraft architecture. Its origins trace back to a 1917 patent for a delta-winged design, reflecting Scroggs' lifelong pursuit of a plane that offered superior safety, economy, and STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) performance for the average pilot.
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Key Facts
- Designer: Roy Scroggs, a tailor from Eugene, Oregon.
- Configuration: Tailless lifting body with a low-aspect-ratio delta wing.
- Engine: 90 hp Curtiss OX-5 liquid-cooled V-8.
- Flight Status: Prototype; achieved an estimated altitude of 10 feet.
- Legacy: Its leading-edge sweep angle was remarkably similar to the 1961 Handley Page HP.115.
The Vision and Origin of Roy Scroggs
Roy Scroggs was not a trained aeronautical engineer, but his persistence was legendary. After patenting his first low-aspect-ratio delta design in 1917, he faced significant ridicule and rejection from aviation experts who viewed his ideas as impractical. The name "The Last Laugh" was chosen specifically to reflect Scroggs' confidence that his invention would eventually prove his critics wrong.
Innovative Design and Engineering
The aircraft featured a distinctive shape: a long, narrow delta with a truncated nose. The fuselage was a deep trapezoidal kite-section that tapered in proportion to the high-mounted wings. This design created a deep keel, which provided both lift and directional stability, reducing the need for a traditional tail assembly.
Structural Composition
The airframe was constructed primarily from welded metal tubing and covered in fabric. To accommodate the engine and propeller, Scroggs had to drastically cut back the nose of his original 1917 design. The landing gear consisted of twin main wheels on struts located immediately behind the engine, while a small tailskid supported the rear of the fuselage.
Cockpit and Control Systems
The enclosed cockpit was positioned toward the rear of the wider fuselage section. Initially, it featured only two small side windows, though these were enlarged before flight testing to improve visibility. For control, the aircraft utilized:
- Elevons: Combined elevators and ailerons located on the wing trailing edge.
- Split Rudder: A lateral control system attached to the widest part of the fuselage.
- Twin Rudders: Added during testing, these were mounted on short struts at the rear.
Flight Career and Outcome
Registered as NC10648, The Last Laugh underwent flight testing at the Eugene Municipal Airport. While it is claimed the aircraft rose to approximately 10 feet (3 meters), it never achieved sustained flight. Following these initial tests, Scroggs filed for a new design patent in July 1930.
The aircraft's career ended abruptly when it missed a taxiway during flight trials and tipped over, causing significant damage. Its registration was officially cancelled in 1934, marking the end of the prototype's journey.
Technical Specifications
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 26 ft (7.9 m) |
| Wingspan | 18 ft (5.5 m) |
| Wing Area | 350 sq ft (33 m²) |
| Gross Weight | 1,200 lb (544 kg) |
| Powerplant | 1 × Curtiss OX-5 (90 hp / 67 kW) |
| Wing Loading | 3.5 lb/sq ft (17 kg/m²) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed The Last Laugh?
The aircraft was designed and built by Roy Scroggs, a tailor from Eugene, Oregon, who was an amateur aviation enthusiast.
What is a lifting body?
A lifting body is an aircraft design where the fuselage itself is shaped to generate a significant portion of the lift, rather than relying solely on separate wings.
Did The Last Laugh successfully fly?
The aircraft underwent flight testing and is claimed to have reached an altitude of about 10 feet, but it never achieved fully developed flight.
What happened to the aircraft?
The aircraft was damaged after it missed a taxiway and tipped over during trials at Eugene Municipal Airport; its registration was cancelled in 1934.
How does it compare to later aircraft?
Despite being built in 1929, its delta leading-edge sweep angle was very similar to that of the Handley Page HP.115, a 1961 aircraft used to test the Concorde's wing plan.