Grumman Ag Cat
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| Grumman Ag Cat | |
|---|---|
 An Ag cat set up for wingwalking. |
|
| Type | Agricultural aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Grumman |
| Maiden flight | 1957[1] |
| Introduced | 1957[1] |
The Grumman G-164 Ag Cat is a single-engine biplane agricultural aircraft, developed by Grumman in the 1950s. The design has been in almost continual production since 1957. Initial production was through a contract with the Schweizer Aircraft Corporation,[2] who built 2,455 for Grumman between 1957 and 1981.[3]
In 1981 Schweizer bought the rights to the design and continued production under the name Schweizer Ag Cat.[2]
Currently the rights to the design are owned by Ag-Cat Corp, who purchased it them 1995 from Schweizer.
The basic airframe incorporates many safety innovations, including a pressurized cockpit to keep pesticides out, air conditioning and a fuselage structure that is designed to progressively collapse in the event of a collision.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Variants
- Ag Cat
The basic model Ag Cat was certified with four different engines:[3]
- 220-225 hp (164-168 kW) Continental Motors radial engine
- 240 hp (179 kW) Gulf Coast W-670-240 radial engine
- 245 hp (183 kW) Jacobs L-4M or L-4MB radial engine
- 275-300 hp (205-224 kW) Jacobs R-755 radial engine
A total of 400 of this model were produced.[3]
- Super Ag Cat A/450
The G-164A became the main model starting with serial number 401. This model featured a 450 hp (335 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial engine along with a higher gross weight, increased fuel capacity, larger diameter wheels and improved brakes.[3]
- Super Ag Cat A/600
The A/600 incorporated the same improvements embodied in the A/400, but was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine of 600 horsepower (450 kW).[3]
- Super Ag Cat B/450
The B/450 improved on the "A" model by increasing the wingspan from 35' 11" (10.95 m) to 42' 3" (12.88 m). The fin and rudder were enlarged and the fuselage was also lengthened.[3]
The upper wing was raised on the "B" model by 8 inches (20 cm) do reduce aerodynamic interference between the wings and improve cockpit visibility.[2]
- Super Ag Cat B/525
The B/525 incorporated the design improvements of the B/450, but was powered by a Continental /Page R-975 engine.[3]
- Super Ag Cat C/600
The C/600 first flew in 1976. It is similar to the model B/450 but has its fuselage further stretched to incorporate a 500 US gallon (1892 litre) agricultural hopper. The model is powered by a 600 hp (450 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine.[3]
- Turbo Ag Cat D/T
The "D" model is similar to the C/600 but replaced the radial piston engine with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop powerplant of 680 shp (507 kW).[3]
- Turbo Ag Cat D/ST
The D/ST model is identical to the Turbo Ag Cat D/T, but the engine was a Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop powerplant of 750 shp (559 kW).[3]
- Turbo Ag Cat D/SST
The D/SST model is identical to the Turbo Ag Cat D/T, but is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop powerplant of 850 shp (634 kW).[3]
- Ag Cat B-Plus/600
Introduced in 1982 the B-Plus/600 is powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 of 600 hp (450 kW). It has a the larger hopper of the "C" model.[3]
- Ag Cat B-Plus/450
Also made available for the first time in 1982 the lowered powered B-Plus/450 is powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-985 of 450 hp (335 kW). This model was available only as a custom order.[3]
- Marsh G-164 C-T Turbo Cat
This after-market conversation was created by re-engining the Super Ag Cat C/600 with a Garrett TPE331-1-101 turboprop, de-rated to 600 hp (450 kW).[3]
- Mid-Continent King Cat
This after-market conversion of the Super Ag Cat C/600 replaced the 600 hp (450 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engine with a Wright R-1820-202A radial engine that produces 1200 hp (895 kW).[3]
[edit] Operators
[edit] Military Operators
[edit] Specifications (G-164B Super B Turbine)
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: 400 US gal (1,510 liters) in forward hopper
- Length: 27 ft 8 in (8.41 m)
- Wingspan: 42 ft 5 in (12.92 m)
- Height: 12 ft 1 in (3.68 m)
- Wing area: 392.7 ft² (36.48 m²)
- Empty weight: 3,150 lb (1,430 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 7,020 lb (3,180 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG turboprop, 750 shp (560 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 128 kt (237 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 113 kt (210 km/h)
- Range: 172 nm (318 km)
- Service ceiling ft (m)
- Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
- Power/mass: hp/lb (kW/kg
- Armament: None.)
[edit] See also
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ a b Wood, Derek: Jane's World Aircraft recognition Handbook, page 460. Jane's Publishing, 1983. ISBN 0 7106 0202 2
- ^ a b c d Montgomery, MR & Gerald Foster: A Field Guide to Airplanes - Second Edition, page 14. Houghton Mifflin Publishing, 1992. ISBN 0 7232 3697 6
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Taylor John WR: Jane's Pocket Book Light Aircraft - Second Edition, page 215. Jane's Publishing Company, 1982. ISBN 0 7106 0195 6
[edit] External links
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