Buhl Airsedan
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| CA-6 Airsedan | |
|---|---|
| Type | Civil utility aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Buhl |
| Maiden flight | 1928 |
| Number built | ca. 60 |
The Buhl Airsedan was a civil utility aircraft manufactured in the United States in the late 1920s and early 30s. Later models featured gradually increased seating and larger engines, but all were conventional sesquiplanes with fully enclosed cockpits and passenger cabins.
One Airsedan, Angelino Jr was piloted by Loren Mendell to first place in the 1929 Oakland-Cleveland Air Derby, and another, Spokane Sun God was used to make the first nonstop roundtrip flight across the United States. Nick Mamer and Art Walker flew it from Spokane, Washington to New York City and back between 15 and 21 August 1929, taking 120 hours 1 minute 40 seconds for the trip and using inflight refuelling to make the distance.
After Buhl ceased operations, the drawings and jigs were purchased and a small number of CA-6's were built in Canada by the Ontario Provincial Air Service (OPAS) for use as fire spotting aircraft. These differed from the original plans in having more powerful 440 HP Pratt & Whitney engines and Vickers floats.
In 2007, an example is preserved at the Golden Wings Museum in Blaine, Minnesota and some parts from the unrestored remains of two OPAS Buhls (C-FOAR and C-FOAT) are on display at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
[edit] Variants
- CA-3 Airsedan - original three-seat version powered by Wright J-5
- CA-3A
- CA-3B Junior Airsedan - slightly smaller version with Warner Scarab engine
- CA-3C Sport Airsedan
- CA-3CW Sport Airsedan - Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine
- CA-3D Sport Airsedan - Wright J-6 engine
- CA-3E Sport Airsedan - Packard DR-980 engine
- CA-5 Airsedan - five-seat version powered by Wright J-5
- CA-5A Airsedan - Deluxe version
- CA-6 Airsedan - six-seat version powered by Wright J-6
- CA-6A Airsedan - 420 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine
- CA-6B Airsedan - 450 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine
- CA-6D Special - six-seat conversion of CA-3D (2 converted)
- CA-6J Airsedan - five seats and 300 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp (1 converted from CA-6)
- CA-6W Airsedan - four seats and 420 hp Pratt & whitney Wasp (1 converted from CA-6)
- CA-8 Senior Airsedan - eight-seat version powered by 450 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp
- CA-8A Senior Airsedan - Wright Cyclone engine
- CA-8B Senior Airsedan - 52 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp
[edit] Specifications (CA-6)
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: 5 passengers
- Length: 29 ft 8 in (9.04 m)
- Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in (12.20 m)
- Powerplant: 1 × Wright J-6 radial, 300 hp (224 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 145 mph (233 km/h)
- Range: 720 miles (1,160 km)
[edit] References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 216.
- aerofiles.com
[edit] See also
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