Thorp Air Command - T18.net

This one started it all for a lot of folks!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

That brings back memories... thanks Lee!

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

Thats the one that got me! Brought my plans for #867 in late 72.
Tony Schischka
ZK-VMS #867

I uploaded Pop Mechs Dec 1964 to my album. Button is at the bottom of this post.
You may have to down load them to zoom to bigger font. I'll attach first page for quick viewing.
Bob

Here is the rest (read bottom to top)

Bob

This is the one that probably got it started for my Dad. The year is 1965 - Rockford. My brother David and myself (right) posing in front of N137RT. I think it was right after this that Dad started #347 in the garage in Crystal Lake, IL. The airplane was completed in 1971 and then we moved to Atlanta in the spring of 1972. I was at my Mom's house last week and stumbled upon these photos.
Enjoy, Terry

This is #347 in probably 1970. It first flew in 1971. Sadly, this one was lost to an engine failure on takeoff in August of 1972. The only surviving parts were the horizontal and vertical stab. The rebuilding started in 1974 and then flew in 1978. Rich Shoup currently owns N45881.

Here's N110JH when it got paint. The photo was taken in Feb 1972 before our family (and airplane) moved to Atlanta, GA

I like those chops!

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http://www.dixiefriedfabrication.com/

Terry, that's quite a T-18 history you have! Over 40 years now.

Just this past weekend I was reading the EAA's Metal Aircraft building techniques book. For those of you that don't have a copy, It's a complilation of articles from various authors. There's quite a few reprints of articles by John Thorp. On page 41, Part 13 of John Thorps "Building the T-18" article there is a photo of N137RT. The caption reads
" This is the completed Thorp T-18, N-137RT, built by Ralph Thenhaus, shown on the day of its first flight. John Thorp stands behing the wing. Bill Warwick in the cockpit and Thenhaus by the nose. Bill Warwick test the airplane. Not the landing gear fairings and other items of fine workmanship."
The date references Thorps last article in March 1964's Sport Aviation.
All this to say that the photo in the post above is that same N137RT at Rockford, ILL in 1965.
I'm convinced that had there been no Thorp - there would be no RV. This is a great year to review where the T-18 came from and it's rightful place in the history of the Experimental Movement.