Didn't know the Skymaster was certified for aerobatics...

[trampbike]

The lightest aircraft the RCAF owns are the Twin Otter and the Griffon. They're not great at aerobatics.

[AuxBatOn]

Why are we talking about a military 337?!

[rigpiggy]

Because it was built on the same production line as the civvie version with main changes being wing fittings for rocket pods

[AuxBatOn]

The one in the video isn't military and isn't likely built to the same specs as the military version.

[AirFrame]

Why are we talking about a military 337?!

Because: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_O-2_Skymaster
Just wondered if it was built any differently, because the Wiki page doesn't mention it.

O-2A
Version designed for use in forward air control missions, features ordnance hard points underneath the wings to hold rockets, gun pods or flares.

This strikes me as an application where an aircraft with increased structural strength to support manoeuverability may be an asset.

[rigpiggy]

read a book by an O-2 guy in viet nam. the big diffs were wing hardpoints and obervation doors/skins. Cessna offered to build a tandem version with strengthened wings, but it would take an extra 16-18 months USAF said build it as it was RFN. I do believe the warbirds are run under 337 type cerification.

[PilotDAR]

Adding wing hardpoints and "capacity" there, without increasing the gross weight, does not increase the loads on the main part of the primary structure, it actually reduces it a little ('Kinda why the C 310 and certain other type have tip tanks).

And then there was....



I had a good chat with the pilot who flew it. He said it was a poor performer, and much worse when the rear engine quit!

[rigpiggy]

A quick google search showed a warbird o2 registered as an m337B, so civilian equivalent

[goingnowherefast]

When considering it's military application, we're forgetting that it's a pretty slow aircraft. Going 120kts, you are pretty maneuverable within normal category limits. Can turn around pretty quick at 120kts in a 60* bank.

The 337 didn't need an aerobatic capable structure to maneuver around hills in Vietnam.

[xdriver]

Cessna 337

cessna 337-2 001.jpg (291.79 KiB) Viewed 2526 times

[xdriver]

Steve Soper in his Cessna 337. The only mods were the smoke system and the controls for the rudder pedals as Steve is a paraplegic. He did a beautiful airshow in this aircraft, as well flew his family to and from the airshows in it.

[redlaser]

How to do a perfect ailron roll is to put your cup of coffee on the dash, Roll the aircraft and if you didn't spill a drop you did a perfect roll, Capish

[DanWEC]

Steve Soper in his Cessna 337. The only mods were the smoke system and the controls for the rudder pedals as Steve is a paraplegic. He did a beautiful airshow in this aircraft, as well flew his family to and from the airshows in it.

Don't forget the paperwork and permits, without them it surely would have disintegrated in the sky.

In all seriousness, that's amazing. What a determined guy! I'd be interested to see more on that airplane, and if there has been anything indicative of overstresses found during inspections after all the aero.

[AuxBatOn]

How to do a perfect ailron roll is to put your cup of coffee on the dash, Roll the aircraft and if you didn't spill a drop you did a perfect roll, Capish

Really huh. I guess you're the expert.

[goingnowherefast]

I think he watched the Bob Hover YouTube video I posted much earlier in the thread.

'cause, YouTube makes you an expert....

[trampbike]

How to do a perfect ailron roll is to put your cup of coffee on the dash, Roll the aircraft and if you didn't spill a drop you did a perfect roll, Capish

Nah... By definition, a perfect aileron roll would be a pure rotation around the longitudinal axis of the aircraft (no pitch changes and no yawing). The only way to get close to this ideal is to roll at a high rate. You would spill your coffee.

[CpnCrunch]

Looks like he deleted the comment from Larry Mashowski from his youtube video, presumably after reading this thread

I'm surprised he didn't delete the entire video, but I guess he thinks TC probably doesn't give a crap about it now (which is probably true).