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Culver Cadet

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Cadet / PQ-8
Culver LCA Cadet
General information
TypeTwo-seat light monoplane
National originUnited States
ManufacturerCulver Aircraft Company
Designer
Number built600+
History
First flight1939
VariantsCulver PQ-14 Cadet

The Culver Cadet is an American two-seat light monoplane aircraft, also as a radio-controlled drone, produced by the Culver Aircraft Company.

Design and development

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The aircraft designer Al Mooney developed an improved version of the Culver Dart, to provide improved performance with a smaller engine. Originally designated the Culver Model L, the prototype first flew on 2 December 1939. The aircraft was named the Culver Cadet. Although similar to the previous Dart, the Cadet had a semi-monocoque fuselage instead of welded-steel-tube, and a retractable tailwheel undercarriage. The first variant (the Cadet LCA) was powered by a 75 hp (56 kW) Continental A75-8 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed piston engine.

The 1941 version was designated the Cadet LFA, introducing a number of refinements and more equipment, and was fitted with a 90 hp (67 kW) Franklin engine. Production was brought to an end after the United States entered World War II in December 1941, but the Cadet had found export orders, including to Uruguay, and had a new military role.

The Cadet was one of six models that Al Mooney designed during his eight years at Culver. He would leave to found Mooney Aircraft.

Operational history

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In 1940, the Cadet LCA was selected by the United States Army Air Corps as being suitable for use as a radio-controlled target. The first aircraft was designated the Culver A-8 (later the XPQ-8) and was based on the Cadet LFA, but had fixed tricycle landing gear. After successful tests, a production order for 200 was placed, and designated the PQ-8. Later, another 200 were ordered with a more powerful engine as the PQ-8A. In late 1941, the United States Navy acquired a PQ-8A for evaluation, and then ordered 200 in 1941 as the TDC-2. An enlarged and improved version was later built as the Culver PQ-14.

Several Cadets, with both military and civilian origins, are still (2012) airworthy in the United States, and some are preserved in airworthy condition by museums.

Variants

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Culver LFA Cadet at Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio, Chile
Cadet LCA
Initial production version powered by a 75 hp (56 kW) Continental A75-8.
Cadet LFA
Improved variant with an 80 hp (60 kW) Franklin 4AC-176-F3, Franklin 4AC-176-D2, or Franklin 4AC-176-D3 engine, and a full electrical system and engine starter.
Cadet LFA-90
Limited edition variant with a 90 hp (67 kW) Franklin 4AC-199-E3 engine.
LAR (Army A-8)
Initial designation of military radio-controlled drone version, later redesignated PQ-8.
LAR-90 (Army PQ-8)
Initial production military drone version, 200 built.
PQ-8A
PQ-8 powered by a 125 hp (93 kW) Lycoming O-290 engine, redesignated Q-8A in 1948, 200 built.
Q-8A
PQ-8A redesignated in 1948.[citation needed]
Helton Lark
TDC-1
One PQ-8 for evaluation by the United States Navy.
TDC-2
Production version of the PQ-8A for the Navy, 200 built.
Helton Lark 95
Development of Cadet by Helton Aircraft Corporation of Mesa, Arizona. Powered by 90 horsepower (67 kW) Continental C90-16F engine. FAA type approved in September 1966. 15 Lark 95s delivered in 1966.[1] Helton reported as out of business in 1971.[2]
Helton Lark 95A
Modified Lark 96, with 2 feet (0.61 m) longer fuselage and revised tail surfaces.[1]
Aero Systems Cadet STF
Plans-built "optimized" Cadet design, offered by Aero Systems of La Mesa, California, United States in 2010. The plans call for a wood and steel structure, with a 100 hp (75 kW) Continental O-200 powerplant, producing a cruise speed of 135 mph (217 km/h).[3]

Operators

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 United States

Surviving aircraft

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Specifications (Cadet LFA)

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3-view line drawing of the Culver PQ-8A
3-view line drawing of the Culver PQ-8A

Data from U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 8[18]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Length: 17 ft 8 in (5.38 m)
  • Wingspan: 27 ft 0 in (8.23 m)
  • Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
  • Wing area: 120 sq ft (11 m2)
  • Airfoil: NACA3414 at wing root, NACA 3408 at tip
  • Empty weight: 806 lb (366 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,305 lb (592 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 20 US gal (17 imp gal; 76 L)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Franklin 4AC-176-F3 air-cooled flat-four piston, 80 hp (60 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 142 mph (229 km/h, 123 kn) at 3,000 ft (910 m)
  • Cruise speed: 130 mph (210 km/h, 110 kn) at 7,000 ft (2,100 m) (75% power)
  • Range: 500 mi (800 km, 430 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5,200 m)
  • Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s) at sea level

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Taylor 1967, pp. 273–274.
  2. ^ Taylor 1971, p. 320.
  3. ^ Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12, page 90. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  4. ^ Poling, Lesley (25 August 2015). "Where is it now? Collections from the former History of Flight Museum". Ohio History Connection. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  5. ^ "ANNUAL REPORT 2017" (PDF). Chico Air Museum. 15 January 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  6. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N29264]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 4 September 2019.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Culver Cadet LCA". Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum (WAAAM). Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  8. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N34785]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 4 September 2019.[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ "MUSEUM COLLECTION". Golden Age Air Museum. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  10. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N34856]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 4 September 2019.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N34864]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  12. ^ "Culver Cadet LFA". Vintage Flying Museum. Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  13. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N37819]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 4 September 2019.[permanent dead link‍]
  14. ^ "Museum Hangar 3". Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  15. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N41621]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 4 September 2019.[permanent dead link‍]
  16. ^ "1942 Culver LCA(LFA)". Antique Airfield. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  17. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N41725]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation.[permanent dead link‍]
  18. ^ Jutpner 1980, p. 117

Bibliography

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  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). London: Orbis Publishing, 1985.
  • Juptner, Joseph J. U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 8 (ATC 701 – ATC 800). Fallbrook, California, US: Aero Publishers Inc., 1980. ISBN 0-8168-9178-8.
  • Mondey, David. American Aircraft of World War II (Hamlyn Concise Guide). London: Bounty Books, 2006. ISBN 978-0-7537-1461-4.
  • Mormillo, Frank B. "Defenceless Warrior: Culver's PQ-14 Drone." Air Enthusiast, Issue 93, May/June 2001.
  • Simpson, R.W. Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publications. 1991. ISBN 1-85310-194-X.
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1967–68. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1968.
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–72. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1971. ISBN 0-354-00094-2.
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