Thorp T-18

The Thorp T-18 is a two-place, all-metal, plans-built, homebuilt aircraft designed in 1963 by John Thorp.

The aircraft was originally designed as an open cockpit aircraft, powered by a military surplus Lycoming O-290G ground power unit engine, but evolved into a fully bubble canopied aircraft powered by engines of up to 200 hp (149 kW).

Design and development

The T-18 was designed to be easily constructed from sheets of aluminum, and use the modified Lycoming O-290G powerplant. It was originally designed with an open cockpit and with the cylinder heads protruding through the engine cowling in the interest of simplicity. Even as originally designed, the cruising speed was quite high. The design showed great potential for higher performance and so modifications were created to install larger, cowled Lycoming engines and a bubble canopy. These modifications allow a T-18 with 125 hp (93 kW) to cruise at 160 mph (257 km/h) and higher-powered examples to cruise in excess of 200 mph (322 km/h). Some aircraft have been constructed with retractable landing gear.

T18

T18, T-18, T 18 or T.18 may refer to: