Engineering:Piper PA-11 Cub Special
| PA-11 Cub Special | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Piper Aircraft |
| Management and usage | Private owners |
| Number built | 1,541[1] |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1947-1949 |
| Introduction date | 1947 |
| First flight | August 1946 |
| Developed from | Piper J-3 Cub |
The Piper PA-11 Cub Special is a later-production variant of the J-3 Cub manufactured by Piper Aircraft.
Design and development
The PA-11 is a high-wing braced cabin monoplane with a tail-wheel landing gear. The enclosed cabin has two tandem seats. Early PA-11s had a Continental A65-8 engine, while the later ones had the option of a Continental C90-8.[2]
The PA-11 was based on the earlier J-3, but with the engine cowling fully enclosed (as on the earlier J-5), the windshield sloped at a shallower angle, and the fuel tank placed in the port wing root.[2] Both seats were slightly moved back, and solo flying was usually from the front seat.
The prototype and two subsequent pre-production models were built using a modified J-3 fuselage and wings. The prototype first flew in August 1946 followed by the two pre-production aircraft later in 1946.[2]
The first production aircraft was completed at Lock Haven in March 1947 and production continued at Lock Haven until September 1949. A second production line was established at Ponca City between September 1947 and January 1948.[2]
On the early PA-11s, the fuselage was painted with a metallic blue on the lower half the rest being Lock Haven Yellow. The later PA-11s were all yellow with a simple brown stripe.
The PA-11 also formed the basis for the next evolution in the Cub series, the PA-18 Super Cub, which shares many features.
Modifications
A small number of PA-11s have been modified to use a Tricycle landing gear.[3]
Variants
- PA-11
- Two-seat light aircraft, powered by either a 65 hp (48 kW) Continental A65-8 or a 95 hp (71 kW) Continental C90-8 piston engine.
- PA-11S
- Seaplane variant with twin EDO 1400 floats.
- L-18B
- United States Military designation of the PA-11 Cub Special, powered by a 95 hp (71 kW) Continental C90-8F piston engine, 105 built and delivered to Turkey, under the Military Assistance Program. ;B.S.3A
- (Thai: บ.ส.๓ก) Royal Thai Armed Forces designation for the PA-11.[4]
Operators
Military operators
Israel
- Israeli Air Force
Turkey
Specifications (PA-11 with 90 hp Continental engine)
Data from Piper Aircraft and Their Forerunners [3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 1 passenger and 470 lbs (213 kg) payload
- Length: 22 ft 4 in (6.8 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 2 in (10.7 m)
- Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
- Wing area: 178.5 sq ft (16.58 m2) [5]
- Empty weight: 750 lb (340 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,220 lb (553 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 12 US gal (10.0 imp gal; 45 L)[5]
- Powerplant: × 1 Continental C90-8, 90 hp (67 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed Sensenich fixed-pitch wooden propeller, 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) diameter [5]
Performance
- Maximum speed: 112 mph (181 km/h, 97 kn)
- Cruise speed: 100 mph (162 km/h, 87 kn)
- Stall speed: 40 mph (65 km/h, 35 kn)
- Range: 350 mi (567 km, 300 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 16,000 ft (4,880 m)
References
Notes
- ↑ Simpson 2005, p. 230.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Peperell 1987, p. 55.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Peperell 1987, p. 57.
- ↑ "Thai Military Aircraft Designations". https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Bridgman 1948, p. 310c
Bibliography
- Bridgman, Leonard (1948). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1948. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd..
- Peperell, Roger. Piper Aircraft and Their Forerunners. Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1987. ISBN 0-85130-149-5.
- Simpson, Rod. General Aviation Handbook. Leicester, UK: Midland Publishing, 2005. ISBN 978-1-85780-222-1.
External links
Template:Piper aircraft Template:Piper Cub Template:USAF liaison aircraft Template:Thai liaison aircraft designations
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