The
Freel Flying Wing was the creation of
Charles Lewis Freel (b. 1916). As a student of
San Diego High School, in
San Diego, California, Freel learned about aerodynamics under the instruction of
LeTain Kittredge, in the aircraft rigging/woodshop class. Before his graduation, Freel designed a 36-inch experimental
free flight model of a flying wing glider. The model flew well enough to justify moving to a full size piloted glider. In 1933, construction was begun at the
San Diego High School woodshop, on a 52-foot span flying wing glider. It was completed in 1937 and licensed with identification mark 18131. Elevons were mounted on the trailing surface and were controlled via a unique
worm drive. Several flights were made by Kittredge and Freel over hillsides near San Diego. The glider suffered from poor directional control in flight. After graduation, Freel worked for
Consolidated Aircraft Corporation and held the title of "junior engineer." ==References==