Johnson Aircraft Rocket 185

This high-performance, three-seat, cabin monoplane was first built in 1946 by Johnson Aircraft, Inc. and was ultimately manufactured in small numbers. The quick and light aircraft was built of all-metal construction with a fabric-covered fuselage. Two persons are seated side-by-side with full dual controls while the third is seated centrally just behind the front seats. In 1950, Aircraft Manufacturing Co. acquired the rights to produce a refined four-seat version of the Rocket, which it called the Texas Bullet.

The original Rocket was powered by a 185-hp four cylinder Lycoming engine; the Texas Bullet changed over to a Continental of the same rating. Also, the fabric covering of the Rocket was traded for an all-metal, flushriveted skin, and a redesigned tail was added. Overall, the new refinements added only 100 pounds to the empty weight, and 50 pounds were added to the fully loaded weight. Exhaust gasses from the engine of the Rocket and Bullet were led into a unique “jet assist” cylinder below the fuselage. It was claimed that the device converted engine exhaust into useful thrust at speeds faster than 40 mph. Also, both aircraft made use of a Hartzell hydro-selective two-blade variable-pitch propeller.

The Rocket 185 received its Approved Type Certificate in April 1946.

Engine 185-hp Lycoming/185-hp Continental.
Gross wt. 2,250 lb
Empty wt. 1,550 lb
Fuel capacity 55 gal
Top speed 207 mph
Cruise 185 mph
Stall 50 mph
Initial climb rate 900 fpm
Ceiling 24,500 ft
Takeoff run 600 ft
Landing roll 400 ft
Seats 4.