Light transport/Utility

[Double T]

Curtis AT-9 Jeep
Siebel Fh104 Hallore
Cessna T-50 Bobcat
(The T-50 Bobcat was the favorite of TV legend "Sky-King" which should get a chuckle from some of our older North-American viewers.)

Which was the best plane of this catagory in WW2?
What would be the British entry?

Tim

[Wuzak]

Westland Lysander?

[GregP]

Hhhmmmm ...

Fewer than 100 Siebel Fh 104s were built. The Curtiss AT-9 was built in a quantity of 791.

More than 4,600 Cessna T-50 / UC-78 / AT-17 / JRC-1 were built. The JRCs were for the Navy. Also, more were built for Canada and in civilian service.

On numbers alone, the Cessna has the win. :)

[montanamotor]

Bf 108 Taifun -

a four-seated Bf 109, as one might think...

In the Bf 108, Willy Messerschmitt tried out every single technical feature, which later became part of the Bf 109.

Over 1000 Taifuns were built, one-third of which by subcontractors in France and (then) Chechoslovakia.

Quite a few are still flying today. If you want the feel of a Bf 109 combined with the ability to carry your whole family around with you, the Bf 108 is your choice of the day.

Ground-loops included, of course! :D

Cheers!

Montanamotor

[Kutscha]

Looking though this site might help with British a/c, http://www.jaapteeuwen.com/ww2aircraft/

A Cdn a/c is the Noorduyn Norseman. Also used as a bushplane.
http://www.noorduynnorseman.com/
http://www.norsemanhistory.ca/

The Americans gave it the designation UC-64. http://www.daveswarbirds.com/usplanes/aircraft/norseman.htm

[GregP]

The three original candidates are twin engine in the 6000 pound class. The Bf 108 adn Norseman don't qualify anywhere NEAR 6000 pounds.

So, I had not considered them.

if we are going to consider LIGHT planes, then the Piper Cub (L-4) and Storch are also candidates, along with about a hundred OTHER types including Skoda-Kaubas, Moranes, Asuters, etc.

We may have to "qualify" the breadth of the candidates. Personally, I am thinking of twin-engine liaison aircraft in the 5000 to 7000 pound class.

But, I have no pride in this selection. If the author of this thread wants to qualify the search, I'll abice by whatever Double T says! :)

[Kutscha]

Bobcat

Empty: 3,500 lb (1588 kg)
Loaded: 5,700 lb (2585 kg)
Maximum takeoff: 6,062 lb (2,755 kg)

Norseman

Empty: 3380 lbs to 4200 lbs (model dependent)
Gross: 6050 lbs to 7400 lbs (model dependent)

It doesn't Greg?;) Even the engine output is equal or greater.

[montanamotor]

Focke-Wulf 58 Weihe "Leukoplast-Bomber" (Sticking Plaster-bomber - german equivalent to "Bamboo-bomber")

See: http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/LRG/fw58.html

Type: Multi-Role Trainer, Transport & Ambulance
Origin: Focke-Wulf flugzeugbau Gmbh
Models: B and C
First Flight: 1935
Service Delivery: 1937
Final Delivery: 1942
Production: 1,350
Engine:
Model: Argus As 10C
Type: Inverted V8 aircooled
Number: Two Horsepower: 240 hp
Dimensions:
Wing span: 21m (68 ft. 10¾ in.)
Length: 14m (45 ft. 11¼ in.)
Height: 4.21m (13 ft. 10 in.)
Wing Surface Area: 505.92 sq. ft. (47.00m²)
Weights:
Empty: 2400kg (5,291 lbs.)
Maximum: 3600kg (7,937 lbs.)

Performance:
Maximum Speed: 280km/h (174 mph)
Range: 497 miles (800 km)
Armament:
See below

Avionics: N/A
Additional Images:
Image 1 - Fw 58C outfitted as an ambulance.
Image 2 - 3-View Illustration

Development:

The Weihe (Kite, a bird also called Drache) was one of the most important utility aircraft of the Luftwaffe, in the class of the Anson or Oxford. First flown as a six-seat civil transport in 1935, it blossomed forth in many military versions with up to three MG 15 or other guns, wing and fuselage bomb racks and wheel/ski/float landing gear. About 4,500 Fw 58C were delivered to the Luftwaffe in 1937-42, called Leukoplast-bomber (sticking-plaster bomber) in the ambulance role.

Ugly like a Duck. But very pleasant to fly.

Was also sold to Sweden:

http://www.avrosys.nu/aircraft/Misc/926P6.htm

Cheers,

Montanamotor

[Lightning]

Hi Double T,

Quoting you:
quote:(The T-50 Bobcat was the favorite of TV legend "Sky-King" which should get a chuckle from some of our older North-American viewers.)
And later, he flew a Cessna 310. His planes were named the "Songbird."

Regards,
Lightning