Grumman Schweizer Ag-cat (minigraph)

Aerofax Minigraph 11 Grumman/Schweizer AG-CAT by Nick Pocock General Equipment Locations 1. Battery 2. Fuel FilierCap 3. Oil Fuel Cap 4. Master Cylinder and Reservoir 5. Hopper Door 6. Navigational Lights 7. PitotTube 8. Stall Warning Sensor 9. Trim Tab 10. Foot Holes 11 . Baggage Compartment Door 12. Air Filter Access Door 13. External Power Supply 14. Fuel Gauge © 1994 by Nick Pocock; Library of Congress #94-69850; ISBN 0-942548-59-0 Published by: Aerofax, Inc and Special Aviation Publications P.O.Box120127 Rt.1,Box730 Arlington, Texas 76011 China Spring, Texas 76633 817261-9145 817641-4269 fax.: 817 459-0726 European Trade Distribution by Midland Publishing Ltd., 24 The Hollow, Earl Shilton, Leicester, LE9 7NA, England; 0455 847256/fax.: 0455841805 THE GRUMMAN/SCHWEIZER AG·CATSTORY by Nick Pocock The prototype G-164 Ag-Cat, N74054, constructornumber X-1, atSchweizer's Elmira, New York facility. Noteworthy is the spraypump fairing visible below the firewall between the spring steel struts of the main landing gear. PROGRAM HISTORY: The ancestry of the Ag-Cat includes that series of muscular warplanes produced by the Grumman Iron Works, so named for their extraordinarily rugged airframes. It first flew in 1957, following in the paw-prints· of the Wildcat, Hellcat, Bearcat and Tigercat fighters of World War Two. Though the fighters had been monoplanes, the Ag-Cat returned to the biplane tradition of the pre-war Grummans. This layout had the rugged strength and other desirable qualities required for its work as an ag-plane...which is an aircraft used in agriculture to dust, spray, or seed crops. Joseph Lippert was responsible for the origin of the Ag-Cat program. In 1955, as aerodynamicist of the preliminary design group at Grumman Aircraft Corporation, he discussed with Arthur R. Koch (pronounced "Coke") the possibility of designing an agricultural airplane, and that as a team, they should endeavor to sell the idea to Grumman with the emphasis on forming a Grumman non-military company. The latter which would build a prototype of this aircraft and Ultimately, manufacture it to sell to the agricultural industry. Joe Lippert studied the eXisting information about "dusters" (as they were called in those days). He then made a trip with Arthur Koch through the southwestern United States to observe ag flying operations lC=:~~~;;iil:i~~~~ :::J w s: The far-sighted LeRoy Randle Grumman was born in 1895 and died in 1982. Joe Lippert and the original Ag-Cat model he built to sell his idea to LeRoy Grumman. ArthurKoch listened to Joe Lippert's suggestion that the Ag-Cat be built. Grumman's X-1 prototype, N74054, seen before engine relocation andprobably before the aircraft's first flight. Grumman facility is visible in background. Grumman's X-2 prototype, N74055, shortly before completion and first flight. Fuselage panels and cowling parts have been removed for photography. Three-quarter rear view ofGrumman's X-2 prototype with the majority ofits fuselage access panels removed. Structure was simple but rugged. Grumman 's X-2 prototype in flight. Aircraft's docile flight characteristics became readily apprent early in the flight test program. 2 and talk to people in the business. From this research he then determined the original specification, and made the initial sketches. At that time most of the aircraft used for agri