N34855 - 1941 CULVER CADET

1941

CULVER

CADET

265

N34855

Used

LFA Model - 90 HP Franklin Engine in Pristine Condition! Airframe: 1980 TT Engine: 355 SMOH – Franklin 4AC-199-E3 90 HP Prop: 20 Since New - Sensenich 2 blade wood Tierra Nav com KT76A Transponder Mode C Intercom Nav lights, tail, strobe 20 gallons; 3 hour range Logs missing prior to 2/16/75 Has had 2 gear up landings The aircraft was recovered in 2008 The whole aircraft was refurbished in 2008 Very well maintained Always hangared Annual completed August 17, 2013 Useful load: 436.5 Pitot Static/Transponder/Altimeter: Completed April 2014 Performance & Specifications Power plant Franklin 4AC-199-E3 90 hp Propeller Sensenich 2 blade wood Dimensions Length 17' 8" Height 5' 6" Wingspan 27' Wing area 120 sq ft Wing loading 10.9 lb/sqft Power loading 14.5 lbs/hp Seats 2 Cabin length 26.5" Cabin width at rear of seat 35.5" Cabin width at front of seat 36" Cabin height, seat to top 36" Distance from rear of seat to rudder pedals 41" Distance from rear of seat to front of seat 17" Weights Basic empty weight 850 lbs Max gross weight 1305 lbs Useful load 455 lbs Max payload 335 lbs Fuel capacity 20 gals (120 lbs) Oil capacity 5 qts (8qts opt long range tank) Baggage Capacity 50 lbs Performance Takeoff distance, ground roll 600 ft Rate of Climb SL 800 fpm Max level speed, SL 145 mph Cruise speed @75% 120 mph Service ceiling 17,500 ft Landing distance, ground roll 400 ft Limiting and Recommended speeds VX (best angle of climb) 65 mph VY (best rate of climb) 75 mph VLE (max gear extended) 175 mph VLO (max gear operating) 175 mph VNO (max structural cruising) 145 mph VNE (Never exceed) 175 VS1 (stall, clean) 45 mph VSO (stall, landing config) History 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 tail wheel 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 and introduced a number of refinements and more equipment, and was fitted with an 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 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

1980.0

2