C-61 Forwarder

Encyclopedia : C : C6 : C61 : C-61 Forwarder

The Fairchild C-61, a single-engine monoplane aircraft, was a US Army Air Corps adaptation of the four seater Fairchild Model 24 used as a light transport aircraft.

The Model 24 was itself a development of previous Fairchild models and gained rapid popularity in the early 1930's. Prominent businessmen and Hollywood actors used the aircraft, noted for its sedate handling characteristics and roomy interior. Having adapted many components from the automotive industry (expandable brake tubes and roll-down cabin windows) the aircraft was also easy and affordable to maintain.

Contents

1 Service
2 Specifications (UC-61)

2.1 General characteristics
2.2 Performance

3 Military Operators
4 Related content

Service

The aircraft entered military service in 1942. The Civil Air Patrol operated many Fairchild C-61/24's and some aircraft were fitted with two 100 lb bombs for what became successful missions against German U-boats off the east coast of the USA in the early stages of the Second World War. The C-61 was also procured by the US Navy as the GK-1 and by the British as the Argus.

In British service, over 600 were delivered (as part of the Lend Lease programme) with the majority operating with the Air Transport Auxiliary ferrying RAF aircrew.

Postwar, converted military aircraft became popular as personal transports and many survive to this day. Prices for low hour examples of the aircraft typically range between US$60,000 to $100,000 (2006 values) and some of the most pristine examples can be seen annually at the EAA fly-in at Oshkosh Wisconsin.

Specifications (UC-61)

General characteristics

Crew: one pilot
Capacity: 3 passengers
Length: 23 ft 10 in (7.27 m)
Wingspan: 36 ft 4 in (11.08 m)
Height: 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m)
Wing area: 193 ft² (17.9 m²)
Empty: 1,813 lb (822 kg)
Loaded: lb ( kg)
Maximum takeoff: 2,882 lb (1,307 kg)
Powerplant: 1× Ranger L-44-7 inline, 200 hp (149 kW) or Warner Scarab 165 hp radial.

Performance

Maximum speed: 124 mph (200 km/h)
Range: 465 miles (748 km)
Service ceiling: 12,700 ft (3,870 m)
Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
Power/mass: hp/lb ( kW/kg)

Military Operators