Termite

About the Termite

The Smith Termite is a single-seat, fixed-wing homebuilt aircraft of wooden construction, originating in the United States and designed to suit individual aviation enthusiasts. It features a braced parasol wing monoplane layout powered by a single engine, with steel utilized specifically for components such as the landing gear, struts, and motor mount.

The creator, an experienced builder who had previously constructed earlier aviation designs, mapped out the layout using chalk on a basement floor before plans were formally drawn up. The aircraft incorporated various components adapted from other machines, including spars and engine origins associated with Aeronca alongside modified controls from a Piper Cub. During testing, an engine failure resulted in a forced landing that flipped the airframe, prompting the installation of a different powerplant variant.