Thorp "Sky Skooter"
Model Airplane News Cover Art for August, 1947
by Jo Kotula
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The T-211 is a light aircraft designed in the US by John Thorp in 1945. His original planes, T-10, T-11 and T-18 were taildraggers. The 211 shared the low-wing monoplane design but was equipped with fixed tricycle undercarriage and a sliding canopy. It bears some family resemblance to the Piper Cherokee, a design that Thorp contributed to significantly.

  

Thorp T-18 Taildragger
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Thorp constructed eight prototypes, and had the design certified by the FAA, but was unable to find a foothold in the Cessna-dominated post-war US market. The project was therefore shelved until the homebuilding boom saw the rights to the aircraft acquired first by Adams Industries and then by Thorp Aero in the 1970s, the latter firm building five examples as the Thorp Arrow. The kits were then manufactured by AD Aerospace in the United Kingdom and Venture Light Aircraft in the United States.

  

Thorp "Sky Skooter"
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IndUS Aviation recently began production of the T-211 to the guidelines of Light Sport Aircraft, allowing it to be flown by those with a sport pilot certificate. The Thorp T-211 was the first US-designed Special Light Sport Aircraft to receive certification from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Here is a video of the Thorp "Sky Skooter" in action:

Click Here for more information about the Thorp "Sky Skooter".

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