Cessna C-34 / C-37 / C-38

1935

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Cessna C-34

In June 1935 the prototype Model C-34 made its first flight, piloted by George Harte. Powered by a 108kW Warner Super Scarab, this was a four-seater which demonstrated its aerodynamic efficiency by achieving a maximum speed of 261km/h, compared with 238km/h for the much higher-powered DC-6B. Some 42 were built, two being impressed for USAAF under the designation UC-77B.

The Model C-37, introduced during 1937, brought in minor improvements to the furnishing of the cabin, which was widened by 12.7cm, and was fitted with electrically operated wing trailing-edge flaps. Some 46 C-37s were built, and one impressed in 1942 was designated UC-77C.

The 1938 Model C-38 again featured minor improvements, with some of the previously optional equipment fitted as standard; airframe changes included the provision of wider track landing gear and a large under-fuselage flap which served as an airbrake to reduce landing speed. Production of the C-38 amounted to 16 aircraft.

Cessna C-37

Specification 
 MODELC-38
 ENGINE1 x Warner Super Scarab radial piston engine, 108kW
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight1066 kg2350 lb
  Empty weight621 kg1369 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan10.41 m34 ft 2 in
  Length7.52 m25 ft 8 in
  Height2.13 m7 ft 0 in
  Wing area16.81 m2180.94 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Max. speed261 km/h162 mph
  Cruise speed230 km/h143 mph
  Ceiling5485 m18000 ft
  Range885 km550 miles

Comments
Katherin Arscott, e-mail, 11.02.2023 19:28

Hello aviastar.org admin, Your posts are always well thought out.

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Dave Everson, e-mail, 04.12.2022 20:31

I am reminiscing over my dad‘s first logbook, the first in our family to have ever flown. His first flight was in a c38 NC-18794 out of Santa Paula California (where I was born, and first flew myself). It was 5 /27 /1945. I’d love to see a picture and hear more about his first a /c.

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Dave Everson, e-mail, 04.12.2022 20:30

I am reminiscing over my dad‘s first logbook, the first in our family to have ever flown. His first flight was in a c38 N18794 out of Santa Paula California (where I was born, and first flew myself). It was 5 /27 /1945. I’d love to see a picture and hear more about his first a /c.

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Bert Zimmerly, Jr., e-mail, 07.03.2021 02:10

My Dad, Bert Zimmerly, Sr., had 5 Airmasters, starting with C-34, S /N 333, N17050 in March 1937, and C-145 and C-165, N19483, N19496, N20767, and N25468. The 165s started Zimmerly Airlines in 1946 and evolved into Empire Airlines in 1946. From 1945, he used Boeing 247s to accommodate an increase in passenger volume and twin-engine safety. DC-3s were still tied up with the military at that time. I flew the Airmaster, N25468, now in the Hood River, OR museum and got my multi-engine rating in the UC-78 in 1955 and my Private, Commercial, and Instructor rating in 140s, and flew the Citation 650 for a corporation years later.

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John F Lindsay, e-mail, 09.01.2023 Bert Zimmerly, Jr.

Mr. Zimmerly,

The logbook of my dad Wm. C. Lindsay Jr. has entries for him flying a Cessna C-34 during 1937 from Kellogg ID (NC-17050) One of his instructors was Fred Zimmerly T. 16,157.

John Lindsay

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Bob Hartmaier, e-mail, 04.02.2014 17:02

Doug, I have several sets of model plans in various scales. I am on vacation, but if you are looking for R /C plans I would be glad to get a set to you for the cost of copying and mailing. Shoot me an email in March to remind me, and I will see what I have. As I recall, they are all the C-37 version, but could easily be modified into a C-145 /165.

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Bob Hartmaier, e-mail, 04.02.2014 16:53

That's a rather corny movie, but does have some interesting flying scenes. The factory drawings actually have the engineering data for the one wheel landing. Cloudy Doug, if you are looking for R /C plans, they are out there on the net. If you are looking for original factory drawings, they are available on a CD for $250. Post a comment if you are interested in more info for the factory drawings and I can give you contact info.

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Stan Wilson, e-mail, 17.04.2020 Bob Hartmaier

Stan Wilson
Cell: 803-410-0256

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Stan Wilson, e-mail, 17.04.2020 Bob Hartmaier

Bob, I’m a retired army pilot and am looking for Cessna Airmaster blueprints. I was a aircraft maintenance officer and test pilot. I have experience in welding up fuselage frames from scratch. Haven’t been able to find the tubing sizes anywhere. Any help in helping me order blueprints would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your help, Stan

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Steve White, e-mail, 17.01.2014 08:10

Fyi The C-34 NC15821 I just saw in the 1939 movie Women in the wind on theTMC channel. The plane is still registered. The movie is about a cross country race for women.

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doug cloud, e-mail, 31.10.2011 04:28

Does anyone know if there are any plans or blue print avaiable for the airmaster? thanks
in the Clouds
Doug

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Bob Hartmaier, e-mail, 11.10.2010 02:36

I own a Cessna C-34. To Ross Cameron, I don't think that there was ever any such aircraft as a "C130 Airmaster". The C-130 is a Lockheed product that was first produced in 1954; it has four turboprop engines.

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george copeland, e-mail, 23.08.2009 01:13

My service at Cessna was terminated in 1943 when I entered the military. I served as an aerial gunner on a B-24 flying out of England.

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george copeland, e-mail, 23.08.2009 01:09

I was working for Cessna in 1940 & 1942. An airmaster was flown in after service in Alaska for one year. It was in for a factory overhall. Fabric had an ungodly bunch of patches. a part of the longerons were removed and 2X6 planks used a a floor behind the pilot and passenger seats. The passenger seats were removed. All of this was to increase the cargo space. I was told that it was flown from Seattle to Wichita with special permision of The Caa. I do not know all of this is true or not but I did see the airplane and it was a wreck from misuse and modifications for situation it was used for.

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Ross Cameron, e-mail, 15.06.2008 10:49

Hello,
I wonder if you can help?
I have a scale model of a C130 Airmaster G-AEAI built by my father using his own plans in 1953.
it is as a model perfect in every detail stored in a world war 2 ammunition box. It won him 'Model Engineer' of the year award. I have the photograph of him receiving the award and the medal itself. although needing slight repair work it is in wonderful condition.
I am looking for a buyer and would love it to go to the cessna archives .
Please contact me if you are interested.
I am in Chester, England, United Kingdom,

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