https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_Cadet
The Interstate Cadet was an American two-seat tandem, high wing, single-engine
monoplane light aircraft. Around 320 of these aircraft were produced between the
years 1941 and 1942 by the Interstate Aircraft and Engineering Corporation based
in El Segundo, California. The construction techniques employed were a welded
steel tube fuselage, wood (spruce) wing structure with metal ribs, and fabric
covering, all of which were fairly standard in the 1940s.
An Interstate Cadet, flown by aviator Cornelia Fort and an unknown student, was
one of the first aircraft (if not the first) to be attacked by IJNAS Japanese
naval planes en route to the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941.
Role
Utility monoplane
National origin
United States
Manufacturer
Interstate Aircraft and Engineering Corporation
First flight
1940
Primary user
United States Army
Number built
574
Variants
Arctic Tern
The original version, the S1 prototype, was powered by the 50 hp Continental A50
engine, but was soon upgraded to the Continental A65 engine and redesignated as
the S1-A-65F. This was a common engine used in many small American two-seat
aircraft of the time. This aircraft would be used during World War Two under the
L-6A designation.
In 1945 the rights to the aircraft were sold to Harlow Aircraft Company which in
turn resold the tooling and parts to the Call Aircraft Company of Afton, Wyoming
in 1946 for $5000. Callair rebuilt a number of S-1, S-1A and L-6s, some with
engine upgrades, for local ranchers and bush pilots as well as two examples of
their own serial numbered CallAir S-1A-90C before stopping production.
One reason it may not have sold well was that this aircraft cost almost three
times the amount of the comparable Piper J-3 Cub. However, a close look at the
two aircraft reveals that the Cadet was faster, stronger, and could be operated
in a more rugged environment with its Oleo strut/Compression spring suspension
system. Popular upgrades for this airframe included larger engines(75/85/90/100
hp), better brakes, and a different tailwheel system.
In the late 1960s the type certificates and tooling were bought by the newly
formed Arctic Aircraft Company who transformed the S-1B1 into a bush plane by
upgrading structural elements of the fuselage, landing gear and wings. This
aircraft was designated the S-1B2, was used a Lycoming O-320 160 HP engine and a
McCauley propeller for increased performance and was certified in 1975 as the
Arctic Tern. The new Type certification also covered installing the same engine
in otherwise standard Interstate Cadets.
Specifications (S-1B1)
General characteristics
Crew: two
Length: 23 ft 5 in (7.14 m)
Wingspan: 35 ft 6 in (10.82 m)
Height: 7 ft (2.1 m)
Empty weight: 1,103 lb (500 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 1,650 lb (748 kg)
Performance
Maximum speed: 114 mph (183 km/h; 99 kn)
Cruise speed: 105 mph (169 km/h; 91 kn)
Range: 540 mi (469 nmi; 869 km)
Service ceiling: 16,500 ft (5,000 m)
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