Culver Model V

The Culver Model V was a two-seat cabin monoplane designed and built by the Culver Aircraft Company.

Model V
Role Two-seat cabin monoplane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Culver Aircraft Company
First flight 1946

Design and development

Based on the pre-World War II Cadet and using the wartime experience with radio-controlled aircraft the company designed a two-seat cabin monoplane. The Model V had a low-set cantilever wing with the outer panels having a pronounced dihedral. It had a tricycle retractable landing gear and an enclosed cabin with side by side seating for two. It was unique in that it had a system called Simpli-Fly Control where the aircraft was automatically trimmed for takeoff, landing and cruise, by turning a small metal wheel between the two seats and lining up two arrows with the mode of flying the aircraft. Interconnecting controls then adjusted the trim according to the arrow settings.[1]

In 1956 the Superior Aircraft Company bought the assets of Culver and put the Model V back into production as the Superior Satellite. The main difference was the use of a 95 hp Continental engine which increased the cruise speed to 130 mph (209 km/h). Only a prototype and five production aircraft were built.

Variants
V-1
Initial production variant.
V-2
Improved variant.
Superior Satellite
1956 variant with a 95hp Continental engine.
TD4C
USN radio-controlled target version of the V-2
UC
The utility version of the TD4C, also converted to target drone as the UC-1K.

Specifications (V-1)

Data from [2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one (pilot)
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 20 ft 8.5 in (6.31 m)
  • Wingspan: 29 ft 0 in (8.84 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 9.5 in (2.07 m)
  • Wing area: 125.9 sq ft (11.70 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,070 lb (485 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,600 lb (726 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental C85 4-cyl. air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine , 85 hp (63 kW)

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 125 mph (201 km/h, 109 kn)
  • Range: 338 mi (544 km, 294 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 13,200 ft (4,025 m)

References

Notes
  1. "Culver Model V", August 1946, Popular Science bottom page 30
  2. Orbis 1985, page 1215

Bibliography
  • Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
  • Simpson, R.W. (1991). Airlife's General Aviation. England: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-194-X.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). Orbis Publishing.
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