Classic Sport Aircraft S-18 / S-18T
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John Thorp retired in 1985 and took the T-18 plans off the market. Lu Sunderland, having worked with John on a wider fuselage and folding wing option for the T-18, did a complete rework of the drawings and produced plans for the S-18. The S-18 is then a redesign of the Thorp T-18. The fuselage body is 2" wider and 5" longer than the standard T-18. Also it has a newer NASA computer designed Wing Airfoil, which is stated to lower the stall speed by 6-8 knots. This airfoil also allows a more gentle stall with adequate warning. The top and cruise speeds remain the same. An S-18 with an 160hp Lycoming IO-320 and Hartzel Constant Speed propeller will cruise around 180 mph at 8500 ft (MSL) on less than 7 GPH (gallons per hour of fuel). The S-18 was available in kit form from Classic Sport Aircraft. Pieces and parts for both the T-18 and the S-18 are available here also.
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