Piper PA-17 “Vagabond”
- : United States
- : 1948
- : Lycoming 0-145-B2
- 65
- 29 ' 3"
- 102 mph (164 km/hr)
- 1100 lbs (499 kg)
- : Active
- 18 ' 8"
- : Original
Piper’s PA-17 was a fresh design offering side-by-side seating but used much of the tooling and many components of the J-3 Cub. Efficiencies of production and its savings were passed along to the receptive consumer. Dual controls combined with side-by-side seating made the model more efficient for training and more pleasurable for communication. The demand for this and a few other Piper models helped save the Piper factory from bankruptcy following WW2. Later variations of the “Vagabond” were the “Clipper”, the “Pacer”, the “Tri-Pacer” and the “Colt”.
The example is based at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. It was restored by the owner, Ken Cassens, who is our Chief of Restorations. He is a recipient of the “Charles Taylor Master-Mechanic Award” for having maintained aircraft for over 50 years. His skills are apparent in the many aircraft restorations that he has completed over the years.
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