Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I just had a long conversation with a gentleman from Florida who wanted help selling his Thorp. He lives on a short grass field and is finding that it's a bit short for the Thorp. He's asking $28k, but is also willing to trade for something that cruises around 140 kts and can handle his field better. Anything single seat or above would work (RV-3, Cessna 182, etc).

Here are some details:

Airframe
N806FT
Owner: James Dearwent
Year Built: 1985 (per FAA records)
Kit Serial No: 60
Wing: Sunderland wing
Fuselage: Wide body
Flaps: Electric
Aileron & Elevator Trim: Electric
Airframe Time: 300 hours

Engine
Engine: 180HP Superior Millennial Engine
Engine Time: 130 hours since new
Prop: Sensenich Metal

Avionics
Instruments: Standard 6-pack
GPS: Garmin 660 touchscreen
Radio: Garmin SL40
Engine Instruments: EGT/CHT on all four cylinder, electronic tach
Intercom: Sigtronics

Fuel
Main tank: 32 gallons
Wing tanks: 12 gallons each (Right/Left)

Performance
Max Cruise: 200MPH
Stall: 61MPH


More details:
- He bought the aircraft 6 months ago from someone in Ft. Pierce who lost his medical. He's flown it about 15 hours, but it's too fast for his field so he's stopped flying it.
- The engine was built for $26k using all new parts, except for the crankcase. The propeller was purchased for $6k and recently re-pitched.
- This aircraft has the cowl with inward air outlets, rather than the cheek cowls
- Cowling is fiberglass, secured with screws
- All logbooks are available and complete and show details of new engine installation


This is not my Thorp, just posting this for James. I'll update to include photos when I get them.

I cant wait to see pictures...I don't know what this means, "This aircraft has the cowl with inward air outlets, rather than the cheek cowls"

Is he looking to trade for something for his short grass strip?

Ryan, I have four pages of notes from my conversation with James. He described it as looking really sleek and attractive, and I'm excited to see the photos too.

My guess is that his cowl doesn't have the large outlet behind the cheek cowls. Instead, the sides of the cowl are flush with the fuselage and the air exits at an angle flowing into the inlet then out to the side, rather than straight back like with the cheek cowls. All this is speculation until I see the photos.

Actually, he IS interested in trades. I'll update the original post. He already has a Cessna 140A (N9633A) which was a former Oshkosh award winner. He's going to keep the 140A but wants something a bit faster, closer to 140kts. This yearning for speed is what made him buy the Thorp in the first place.

Well, I’m out, Canucks don’t go 140 kts☹️

first post to this site. very interested in a thorp t-18 or variant. cash buyer,funds available now for flying plane. contact info with the owner? and/or photos? .... larry

Here are some photos of the T-18. I'll share the owner's contact info with those who have messaged me expressing interest. I'm working on getting more photos.

Here are a few more photos showing the side views.

Nice looking. Where in Florida? I believe that is a Ratray cowl.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

I believe he's at the Indian River Airport.

Normally I would be happy to check it out in person, but I met the friend of the owner while filling up at Lake City on my move to Kansas City. The conversation was something like "is this a Thorp? My friend is selling his nearby, do you know anyone interested?"

I was moments away from putting up an ad on barnstormers to help out the owner, but looks like some folks here are interested.

I believe he is located at Indian River airpark just west of Lake City. He had come over to look at my project after he bought it. I know someone that lives there and from his descriptions I would encourage any one to check it out first.

The previous owner and the current owner claim this plane has the Sunderland airfoil and the wide body, I'm going to look at it Friday how do I tell?

Chad,
The S airfoil is the same 6” height as the T, but it has a fatter nose rib. It is subtle. The main ribs are slightly different as well, but you will not see that from the outside. Most planes with S wings have the wing break about 2’ from the fuselage, but not all. Take a magnet with you. If the wing fittings are steel, it is most likely an S.
The S fuselage is 40” across the shoulders. You can measure it right behind the seats. The T is 38” in the same spot.
Hope this helps
Cubes

Thanks.


Chad