Cessna Airmaster

Last updated
Airmaster
Cessna 165 Keevil 28.05.06R.jpg
A C-165 Airmaster in May 2006
General information
TypeCivil aircraft
Manufacturer Cessna
Number built183 [1]
History
Introduction date1930s
First flightAugust 19, 1934

The Cessna Airmaster, is a family of single-engined aircraft manufactured by the Cessna Aircraft Company. The Airmaster played an important role in the revitalization of Cessna in the 1930s after the crash of the aviation industry during the Great Depression. [2]

Contents

Development

Initial model

1936-built Cessna C-34 Airmaster at Blackpool (Squires Gate) Airport in 1950 Cessna C-34 G-AEAI Squires Gate 08.01.50 edited-4.jpg
1936-built Cessna C-34 Airmaster at Blackpool (Squires Gate) Airport in 1950

In the mid-1930s, nearing the end of the Great Depression, the American economy began to slowly strengthen. [2] Dwane Wallace (founder Clyde Cessna's nephew who was a recent college graduate in aeronautical engineering) decided to assist his uncle and cousin, Eldon Cessna (Clyde's son), in building more modern airplanes for Cessna Aircraft. The design of the first Airmaster is credited to Wallace, and the first flight of the C-34 model was in June 1935. [3] Not long after introduction of the C-34, Clyde Cessna retired from the aircraft industry, leaving the company to his nephew.

Later models

Cessna C-37 on display at the Kansas Aviation Museum Cessna C-37 NC 18592.jpg
Cessna C-37 on display at the Kansas Aviation Museum
Cessna C-37 cockpit Cessna C-37 NC 18592 cockpit.jpg
Cessna C-37 cockpit

The original Airmaster, the C-34, evolved into more advanced versions of the Airmaster. The C-37 had a wider cabin, improved landing gear and electric flaps. The C-38 had a taller vertical tail, curved main gear legs and a landing flap under the fuselage. [3] Changes common to both the C-37 and C-38 included wider fuselages and landing gear along with rubber engine mounts to hold the 145 hp (108 kW) Warner Super Scarab engine. [2] The final revisions of the C-34 were the C-145 and the C-165, of which 80 were built. On these models, the belly flaps added on the C-38 were removed and the overall length of the fuselage was increased. The only difference between the C-145 and C-165 was the engine horsepower, with the latter having an upgraded 165 hp (123 kW) Warner engine. [2]

End of the line

It was with the beginning of World War II that the Airmaster line came to an end. The welded tubular fuselage, fabric-covered body, extensive woodwork, wooden wings and radial engines, all characteristic of 1930s-era aircraft technology, became too expensive and slow to produce. [2] The old-style aircraft was quickly replaced with aircraft constructed from aluminium with strut braced wings first seen in the Cessna 120.

Design

The design of the C-34 incorporates characteristics that were borrowed from previous models of Cessna Aircraft. These similarities include the high mounted cantilever wing and the narrow design of the cabin windows. [2] The wings and tail surfaces were composed entirely of wood while the fuselage was structured with steel tubing coupled with wooden stringers and formers. [2] Both C-145 and C-165 models were offered with floats. [4]

Variants

C-34
Four-seat light cabin aircraft, powered by a 145-hp (108-kW) Warner Super Scarab radial piston engine; 42 built.
C-37
Cabin widened by 12.7 cm (5 in), fitted with improved landing gear and electrically operated flaps; 46 built.
Cessna C-37 Airmaster, EAA fly-in, Denton, Texas, 1978. Vintage aircraft 32-020B.jpg
Cessna C-37 Airmaster, EAA fly-in, Denton, Texas, 1978.
C-38
Fitted with wide landing gear with curved legs, plus a taller vertical tail and a landing flap under the fuselage; 16 built.
C-39
Original designation of the Cessna C-145.
C-145
Powered by a 145-hp (108-kW) Warner Super Scarab radial piston engine.
C-165
Powered by a 165-hp (123-kW) Warner Super Scarab radial piston engine.
C-165D
Powered by a 175-hp (130-kW) Warner Super Scarab radial piston engine.
UC-77B
Two Cessna C-34s impressed into service with the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II.
UC-77C
One Cessna C-37 impressed into service with the USAAF in 1942.
UC-77D
Four Cessna C-37s impressed into service with the USAAF in 1942.
UC-94
Three Cessna C-165s impressed into service with the USAAF in 1942.

Operators

Military operators

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States

Survivors

As of December 31, 2006, there are 69 aircraft in the FAA database with the listed Models (totals) being C-165 (30), C-145 (10), C-34 (8), C-37 (14), and C-38 (7).

Specifications

3-view line drawing of the Cessna C-37 Cessna C-37 Airmaster 3-view line drawing.svg
3-view line drawing of the Cessna C-37

Data from American Aircraft Specifications [6]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Notes
  1. Phillips, 1985
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Cessna 165 Airmaster Aircraft performance and specifications" . Retrieved 2016-08-23.
  3. 1 2 Simpson, 2001, p. 132
  4. Phillips, Edward H: Cessna, A Master's Expression, Flying Books, 1985. ISBN   978-0-911139-04-4
  5. Wilson, Stewart (1994). Military Aircraft of Australia. Weston Creek, Australia: Aerospace Publications. p. 216. ISBN   1875671080.
  6. Aviation March 1936, pp. 84–85.
Bibliography