Cessna U-17 Skywagon
Aircraft of the Royal Lao Air Force
Entwicklung
The Cessna 185 Skywagon is a six-seat, single-engined, general aviation light aircraft manufactured by Cessna. The aircraft is basically a Cessna 180 with a strengthened fuselage. The main difference between the two aircraft is the larger vertical fin on the 185 and the 300 hp Continental IO-520-D engine as opposed to the 230 hp Continental O-470-S fitted to the Cessna 180. It first flew as a prototype in July 1960, with the first production model being completed in March 1961.
Die Cessna 185 Skywagon ist ein sechssitziges, einmotoriges Flugzeug der allgemeinen Luftfahrt, das von Cessna hergestellt wird. Das Flugzeug ist im Grunde eine Cessna 180 mit einem verstärkten Rumpf. Der Hauptunterschied zwischen den beiden Flugzeugen ist die größere vertikale Heckflosse des 185er und der 300 PS starken Continental IO-520-D Motors im Gegensatz zum 230 PS starken Continental O-470-S der Cessna 180. Im Juli 1960 flog es erstmals als Prototyp, das erste Serien-modell wurde im März 1961 fertig gestellt.
Versionen
U-17A
Military version of the Cessna 185E, powered by a 260-hp Continental IO-470-F piston engine.
U-17A
Militärversion der Cessna 185E, angetrieben von einem 260 PS starken Continental IO-470-F-Kolbenmotor.
U-17B
Military version of the Cessna A185E, powered by a 300-hp Continental IO-520-D piston engine.
U-17B
Militärversion der Cessna A185E, angetrieben von einem 300 PS starken Continental IO-520-D-Kolbenmotor.
Operational history
Einsatzgeschichte
The first pair of U-17s was transferred to the RLAF in October 1964. In the early days, they were used to train pilots at Savannakhet, but already in 1966/67, U-17s were also used on FAC missions, Strike missions, Armed Recce missions, and Psy Ops missions, that is to drop surrender leaflets. Some U-17s were modified by the USAF to carry smoke rockets and were used by the Ravens. But in spite of their RLAF colors, all U-17s maintained by Air America personnel at Udorn belonged to the USAF and were operated under the control of the US Ambassador at Vientiane
| Specifications | U-17B | |
|
Wingspan |
Spannweite |
10.92 m |
|
Length |
Länge |
7.85 m |
|
Height |
Höhe |
2.36 m |
| Wing area | Flügelfläche |
16.20 m2 |
|
Engine |
Motor |
1 × Continental IO-520-D , 300 hp |
|
Maximum speed |
Höchstgeschwindigkeit |
287 km/h |
|
Empty weight |
Leergewicht |
793 kg |
|
Loaded weight |
Startgewicht |
1,520 kg |
|
Climb Rate |
Steigrate |
5.1 m/s |
|
Service ceiling |
Gipfelhöhe |
5,230 m |
|
Range |
Reichweite |
1,333 km |
|
Armament |
Bewaffnung |
none |
|
Capacity |
Zuladung |
1. Pilot, 5 Passengers |
| Serial Air America U-17 Skywagon | ||||||
| Type |
US Serial |
Reg. |
s/n |
Delivered |
Withdrawn |
Remarks |
| U-17A | 64-17796 | - | - | 2. Oct. 1964 | ? | - |
| U-17A | 64-17797 | - | - | 2. Oct. 1964 | 11. Oct. 1965 | Cashed at Vang Vieng L16 |
| U-17A | 65-10853 | - | - | 28. May 1965 | 29. Apr. 1971 | Crashed Moung Ngam LS63 |
| U-17A | 65-10854 | - | - | 13. Oct. 1965 | 1. Apr. 1972 | - |
| U-17B | 66-08549 | 549 | - | ? | May 1972 | - |
| U-17B | 68-10538 | 538 | - | ? | Jul. 1972 | - |
| U-17B | 69-07304 | - | - | ? | 1. Apr. 1972 | - |
| U-17B | 69-07305 | - | - | ? | Sep. 1972 | - |
| U-17B | 69-07306 | - | - | ? | 1972 | - |
| U-17B | 71-01050 | - | - | ? | Apr. 1972 | - |
| U-17B | 71-11046 | - | - | ? | Apr. 1972 | - |