| Model V | |
|---|---|
![]()  | |
| Role | Two-seat cabin monoplane | 
| National origin | United States | 
| Manufacturer | Culver Aircraft Company | 
| First flight | 1946 | 
The Culver Model V was a two-seat cabin monoplane designed and built by the Culver Aircraft Company.
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
- ↑ "Culver Model V", August 1946, Popular Science bottom page 30
 - ↑ 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.
 
External links
- Photo at aerofiles.com
 - "Culver Model V", August 1946, Popular Science large pull out color photo
 
